verb (used with object)
- to increase the height of; make higher.
- to increase the degree or amount of; augment: Cézanne’s death heightened the value of his paintings.
- to strengthen, deepen, or intensify: to heighten the plot of a story; to heighten one’s awareness or appreciation; to heighten one’s suffering.
- to bring out the important features of, as in a drawing: to heighten a picture with Chinese white.
verb (used without object)
- to become higher.
- to increase: The tension heightened as the enemy forces advanced.
- to brighten or become more intense.
verb
- to make or become high or higher
- to make or become more extreme or intense
mid-15c., heightenen “to exalt, to honor or raise to high position,” from height + -en (1). Related: Heightened; heightening.