HEIGHTEN Meaning and
Definition
-
Heighten is a verb that refers to the act of increasing or intensifying something, whether it is a physical sensation, an emotional state, or a situation. When something is heightened, it is elevated in degree, intensity, or importance. It often implies an enhancement or amplification of an existing condition, rather than the creation of something entirely new.
In a physical sense, heightening can involve intensifying the sense of touch, taste, smell, sight, or hearing. For example, adding chili powder to a dish heightens its spiciness, while turning up the volume on a sound system heightens the auditory experience.
In an emotional sense, heightening can involve intensifying feelings such as excitement, happiness, fear, or anger. For instance, receiving good news may heighten one's joy, while a frightening experience may heighten one's fear.
In a situational sense, heightening can involve increasing the level of tension, drama, or importance in a given circumstance. This can happen in various contexts, such as in a story, a film, or a political situation. For example, a filmmaker may heighten the suspense in a scene to keep the audience engaged, or a journalist may heighten the significance of a particular event in their reporting.
Overall, heighten encompasses the idea of intensification, enhancement, or amplification of a specific aspect, be it sensory, emotional, or situational, thereby accentuating its impact or effect.
-
To raise higher; to increase; to improve; to aggravate.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HEIGHTEN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HEIGHTEN
Etymology of HEIGHTEN
The word "heighten" comes from the combination of two separate words: "height" and the suffix "-en".
The term "height" has its origins in the Old English word "hēah", which corresponds to "high" or "tall". Over time, "hēah" evolved into "height" in Middle English, referring to the measurement from base to top or the distance between the lowest and highest points of something.
The suffix "-en" is a common suffix in English that often indicates a process of making or causing something. It can be traced back to the Old English "-ian" or "-en", which had similar functions as a verbal ending.
Therefore, combining the word "height" with the suffix "-en" results in the word "heighten", meaning to make something higher, increase its intensity or enhance its quality.
Similar spelling words for HEIGHTEN
Conjugate verb Heighten
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have heightened
you
would have heightened
he/she/it
would have heightened
we
would have heightened
they
would have heightened
I
would have heighten
you
would have heighten
he/she/it
would have heighten
we
would have heighten
they
would have heighten
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been heightening
you
would have been heightening
he/she/it
would have been heightening
we
would have been heightening
they
would have been heightening
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would heighten
you
would heighten
he/she/it
would heighten
we
would heighten
they
would heighten
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be heightening
you
would be heightening
he/she/it
would be heightening
we
would be heightening
they
would be heightening
FUTURE
I
will heighten
you
will heighten
he/she/it
will heighten
we
will heighten
they
will heighten
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be heightening
you
will be heightening
he/she/it
will be heightening
we
will be heightening
they
will be heightening
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have heightened
you
will have heightened
he/she/it
will have heightened
we
will have heightened
they
will have heightened
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been heightening
you
will have been heightening
he/she/it
will have been heightening
we
will have been heightening
they
will have been heightening
IMPERATIVE
you
heighten
we
let´s heighten
to heighten
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was heightening
you
were heightening
he/she/it
was heightening
we
were heightening
they
were heightening
PAST PARTICIPLE
heightened
PAST PERFECT
I
had heightened
you
had heightened
he/she/it
had heightened
we
had heightened
they
had heightened
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been heightening
you
had been heightening
he/she/it
had been heightening
we
had been heightening
they
had been heightening
PRESENT
I
heighten
you
heighten
he/she/it
heightens
we
heighten
they
heighten
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am heightening
you
are heightening
he/she/it
is heightening
we
are heightening
they
are heightening
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
heightening
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have heightened
you
have heightened
he/she/it
has heightened
we
have heightened
they
have heightened
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been heightening
you
have been heightening
he/she/it
has been heightening
we
have been heightening
they
have been heightening
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
heighten
SIMPLE PAST
I
heightened
you
heightened
he/she/it
heightened
we
heightened
they
heightened
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
