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C1 verb #7,000 most common 10 min read

augment

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips augment in 30 Seconds

Explanation augment in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'augment' is quite difficult. Most students at this level should focus on the word 'add' or 'more.' Think of 'augment' as a very fancy way to say 'add something to make it bigger.' For example, if you have five apples and you get two more, you are 'augmenting' your collection of apples. However, at A1, you don't need to use this word yet. Just remember it means 'making something bigger by adding more.' It is like when you put more water in a glass that already has some water. You are adding to what is already there. It is a very formal word, so you will not hear it in basic English lessons very often. If you see it, just think of the word 'plus' or 'add.'

For A2 learners, 'augment' can be understood as 'to increase.' While you usually use 'increase' or 'make bigger,' 'augment' is a special word used in books or professional settings. It means you take something you already have and you add more to it. Imagine you have a small garden. If you buy more plants and put them in the garden, you are augmenting the garden. It is different from 'starting' a garden. You must have something first before you can augment it. This word is often used with money (income) or work (staff). If a shop gets very busy, they might augment their staff by hiring one more person. It is a good word to recognize when reading news or business stories.

At the B1 level, you should start to notice the difference between 'augment' and 'increase.' 'Augment' is more specific. It means to increase something by adding a supplement or an extra part. It is common in professional contexts. For example, 'The company wants to augment its sales.' This means they want to add new ways to sell things to make their total sales higher. You might also hear about 'augmented reality' in video games. This is when the game adds digital pictures to the real world you see through your phone camera. It 'augments' your vision. At this level, you can try using it in formal writing to describe adding resources or value to a project.

B1 learners should be comfortable with 'augment' as a formal synonym for 'increase' or 'supplement.' At B2, you should understand that 'augment' implies a deliberate action. It is not just that something grew; someone *made* it grow by adding to it. It is very common in academic and business English. You will see it in phrases like 'augmenting the workforce' or 'augmenting one's income.' It carries a sense of strategic improvement. If you are writing an essay about the economy, using 'augment' instead of 'increase' shows a higher level of vocabulary. You should also be aware of the noun form, 'augmentation,' which is often used in medical contexts or when discussing technical enhancements to a system.

C1 learners are expected to use 'augment' with precision. At this level, you should distinguish it from 'enhance' (improving quality) and 'supplement' (filling a deficiency). 'Augment' specifically refers to increasing the size, amount, or value of something by adding a complementary element. You should be able to use it in various domains: technology (augmented reality), music (augmented intervals), finance (augmenting capital), and social sciences (augmenting power). C1 students should also be comfortable with the passive voice constructions, such as 'The existing data was augmented by recent survey results.' The word should appear naturally in your formal reports and academic papers to provide nuance and professional tone. You should also understand its etymological roots and how it relates to words like 'augmentation' and 'augmentative.'

At the C2 level, 'augment' is a versatile tool in your vocabulary. You should understand its subtle connotations in various registers. In literature, it might be used metaphorically to describe the growth of emotions or abstract concepts. In technical writing, it serves as a precise term for expansion. You should be aware of its historical usage and how it differs from more obscure synonyms like 'aggrandize' or 'accrue.' A C2 learner can use 'augment' to navigate complex discussions about transhumanism (human augmentation) or advanced data science. You should also be able to identify when 'augment' is *not* the right word, avoiding the trap of over-formalization in neutral or informal contexts. Mastery at this level involves not just knowing the definition, but feeling the weight and professional gravity the word carries in a sentence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

augment in 30 Seconds

Augment is a formal verb meaning to increase something by adding to it.
It is commonly used in technology (AR), finance (income), and professional contexts.
The word implies a deliberate enhancement of an existing foundation or resource.
It differs from 'increase' by focusing on the act of supplementing or adding layers.

The verb augment is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe the action of making something greater by adding to it. Unlike simple 'increasing,' which can happen naturally or accidentally, augmenting usually implies a deliberate, strategic addition intended to enhance or improve an existing foundation. It is a word frequently found in professional, technical, and academic environments where precision is valued. When you augment something, you are not replacing the original; rather, you are building upon it to reach a higher capacity, value, or size.

Core Concept: To supplement and expand an existing base to achieve a superior state or larger quantity.

The researchers decided to augment their findings with data collected from a wider demographic to ensure the study's validity.

In the modern world, the word has gained significant traction in the technology sector. For example, 'Augmented Reality' (AR) is a technology that takes the physical world we see and augments it by overlaying digital information—images, sounds, or text—onto it. This use case perfectly illustrates the word's meaning: the real world remains, but it is made 'greater' or 'more informative' through the addition of digital layers. You wouldn't say the digital information replaces the world; it augments it. This distinction is vital for C1 level learners to grasp.

Financial Context: Individuals often seek ways to augment their income, such as taking on a side hustle or investing in stocks, to supplement their primary salary.

She took a weekend job to augment her savings before the big trip.

Beyond technology and finance, 'augment' is common in medical and biological discussions. Surgeons might perform procedures to augment bone density or specific body parts. In these contexts, the focus is on the physical increase in volume or strength. Furthermore, in music theory, an 'augmented interval' refers to a standard musical interval that has been widened by a half-step, showing how the word functions as a technical descriptor for expansion across various disciplines.

Social Context: Governments may augment social programs during economic downturns to provide extra support to vulnerable populations.

The library decided to augment its collection with digital audiobooks.

Using 'augment' correctly requires understanding its transitive nature; it almost always takes a direct object. You augment *something*. The structures typically follow the pattern: [Subject] + [Augment] + [Object] + [By/With] + [The Addition]. This provides a clear path for the listener to understand what is being increased and how the increase is being achieved. It is most effective in formal writing where verbs like 'add to' or 'make bigger' feel too simplistic for the complexity of the subject matter.

Usage Pattern 1: Income and Resources: Many students find ways to augment their limited budgets by working part-time or selling used textbooks online.

He sought to augment his knowledge of ancient history by visiting museums across Europe.

In professional communication, 'augment' is often paired with abstract nouns like 'capabilities,' 'efforts,' or 'staff.' For instance, a manager might say, 'We need to augment our marketing team with two additional specialists to meet the quarterly goals.' This sounds far more professional than saying 'We need to get more people.' It suggests that the current team is good, but their capacity needs to be strategically expanded to handle a larger workload.

Usage Pattern 2: Technology and Data: AI can be used to augment human decision-making by processing vast amounts of data more quickly than a person could.

The software is designed to augment existing security protocols rather than replace them entirely.

Another common construction involves the passive voice, particularly in academic writing: 'The existing database was augmented by the inclusion of records from the 19th century.' This emphasizes the result—the larger database—rather than who did the adding. In C1 level writing, switching between active and passive voice using 'augment' allows for varied sentence structure and improved flow in essays and reports.

Usage Pattern 3: Physical Objects: The architect planned to augment the building's height by adding a glass penthouse to the top floor.

Gardeners often augment the soil with compost to improve nutrient levels for the plants.

While 'augment' isn't a word you'll hear every five minutes in a casual coffee shop conversation, it is ubiquitous in specific professional domains. If you follow tech news, 'Augmented Reality' (AR) is a household phrase, appearing in discussions about everything from mobile gaming (like Pokémon GO) to industrial maintenance where workers use AR glasses to see repair instructions overlaid on machinery. In these contexts, 'augment' is the cornerstone of the entire technological concept.

In the Tech Industry: Developers talk about 'augmenting' user interfaces or using 'augmented intelligence' to describe AI that helps humans work better.

The new update will augment the app's capabilities with voice-recognition features.

In the financial world, you will hear this word during earnings calls and economic reports. Analysts might discuss a company's strategy to 'augment its revenue streams' by expanding into international markets. Similarly, in news reports about the economy, you might hear about the government 'augmenting' its supply of energy or 'augmenting' its military presence in a certain region. The word provides a sense of gravity and scale to these actions, indicating that the additions are significant and official.

In Healthcare and Science: Medical professionals use 'augmentation' to refer to surgeries that increase size, such as 'breast augmentation' or 'lip augmentation'.

The doctor suggested a procedure to augment the patient's hearing using a specialized implant.

Academic lectures and high-level non-fiction books are also prime locations for this word. A history professor might describe how a king 'augmented his power' by forming strategic alliances, or a sociologist might discuss 'augmenting social capital' within communities. In these settings, 'augment' is used to describe the complex ways that power, influence, and social structures grow over time. It is a word for thinkers and strategists.

In Music and Arts: Musicians discuss 'augmented chords' which have a distinct, slightly tense sound because the fifth note is raised.

The composer used an augmented fourth to create a sense of mystery in the film score.

Even at the C1 level, learners can sometimes stumble when using 'augment' because it overlaps with similar verbs like 'increase,' 'supplement,' and 'enhance.' The most common mistake is using it in too casual a context. Saying 'I will augment the amount of sugar in my coffee' sounds unnaturally formal and almost robotic. In everyday situations, 'add more' or 'increase' is much more appropriate. 'Augment' should be reserved for situations where the addition is significant, formal, or technical.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Supplement': While they are similar, 'supplement' often implies filling a gap or deficiency, whereas 'augment' implies making something already sufficient even larger or better.

Incorrect: He augmented his diet with vitamins (Better: Supplemented). Correct: He augmented his investment portfolio with international bonds.

Another error involves the direction of change. 'Augment' only refers to increasing. You cannot 'augment' a budget to make it smaller. If a budget is being reduced, you would use 'curtail,' 'slash,' or 'decrease.' Some learners also forget that 'augment' usually requires an object. You don't just 'augment'; you 'augment something.' Using it as an intransitive verb is a grammatical error that can confuse the listener.

Mistake 2: Over-formalization: Using 'augment' for trivial daily tasks makes the speaker sound like they are trying too hard or are unfamiliar with natural English flow.

Awkward: I need to augment the water in the vase. Natural: I need to add more water to the vase.

Finally, be careful with the noun form 'augmentation.' In many contexts, this specifically refers to cosmetic surgery. If you tell a business partner you are looking for 'augmentation' for your company, they might be confused unless you specify what you are augmenting, such as 'staff augmentation.' Always provide the context to ensure the listener understands you are talking about business growth and not medical procedures.

Mistake 3: Redundancy: Avoid saying 'augment and increase' as they are often redundant. Choose the one that fits the register of your writing.

Redundant: We will augment and increase the size of the team. Better: We will augment the team.

To truly master 'augment,' you must understand how it sits within a family of similar verbs. While they all deal with making things 'more,' each has a specific flavor and use case. Choosing the right one will make your English sound more precise and native-like. The primary synonyms are 'increase,' 'supplement,' 'enhance,' 'expand,' and 'amplify.' Let's look at how they differ in practice.

Augment vs. Increase: 'Increase' is the broad, general term. 'Augment' is more formal and specifically implies adding something to an existing base.

Prices increase due to inflation (natural/general). The company augments its stock (deliberate addition).

'Supplement' is often used when something is missing or lacking. You supplement your diet because you aren't getting enough vitamins from food. You augment your income because you want more money, even if your current salary is already sufficient. 'Enhance' focus on quality rather than quantity. If you enhance a photo, you make it look better. If you augment a photo (in a technical sense), you might be adding data or layers to it. 'Expand' is usually about physical size or scope, like expanding a business into new countries.

Augment vs. Supplement: Supplement fills a hole; Augment adds to a whole. This is a useful mnemonic for C1 learners.

The teacher supplemented the textbook with extra worksheets. The university augmented its endowment through a major fundraising campaign.

In academic writing, you might also see 'aggrandize,' but be careful: this often has a negative connotation of making something seem more important or powerful than it actually is (self-aggrandizement). 'Augment' remains neutral and factual. By understanding these subtle differences, you can choose the word that perfectly matches your intended meaning, demonstrating the high-level vocabulary control expected at the C1 and C2 CEFR levels.

Augment vs. Enhance: Enhance = Better quality. Augment = Greater quantity/size. They are often used together but are not identical.

We will enhance the user experience and augment the available features.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"The corporation intends to augment its quarterly dividends."

Neutral

"You can augment your savings by using a high-interest account."

Informal

"I'm going to augment my burger with some extra bacon."

Child friendly

"The magician will augment the number of rabbits in the hat!"

Slang

"He's trying to augment his street cred by hanging out with them."

Fun Fact

The root 'aug-' is also found in 'august' (meaning majestic or venerable, originally 'increased in dignity') and 'author' (one who causes something to grow or exist).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɔːɡˈment/

US /ɔːɡˈment/

Second syllable (aug-MENT)

Rhymes With

prevent event consent intent lament resent ascent descent

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (AUG-ment) - this is usually the noun form 'augmentation' but the verb is aug-MENT.
Pronouncing 'au' like 'ow' in 'how'. It should be 'aw' like 'law'.
Muting the 'g' sound.
Confusing it with 'argument'.
Over-emphasizing the 't' at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and tech, but requires context to understand specific nuances.

Writing 5/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly formal.

Speaking 5/5

Rarely used in daily speech; requires careful placement.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize in phrases like 'Augmented Reality'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

increase add supplement extra greater

Learn Next

aggrandize accrue proliferate escalate burgeon

Advanced

transhumanism intervallic theory economic scalability data synthesis resource allocation

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs

The verb 'augment' requires a direct object: 'He augmented [his income].'

Passive Voice Construction

Used to focus on the result: 'The budget was augmented by the committee.'

Infinitive of Purpose

Using 'to augment' to show why: 'He worked late to augment his savings.'

Gerunds as Subjects

Augmenting the team is our top priority this month.

Adverb Placement

Place adverbs like 'significantly' before the verb: 'They significantly augmented their efforts.'

Examples by Level

I want to augment my collection of stickers.

I want to add more stickers to my collection.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

He will augment the water in the glass.

He will add more water to the glass.

Future tense with 'will'.

Can we augment the number of chairs?

Can we add more chairs?

Interrogative form with 'can'.

They augment the team with one more player.

They add one more player to the team.

Present simple tense.

She needs to augment her lunch with an apple.

She needs to add an apple to her lunch.

Infinitive 'to augment' after 'needs'.

The teacher will augment the lesson with a video.

The teacher will add a video to the lesson.

Future tense.

I augment my coffee with sugar.

I add sugar to my coffee.

Present simple.

We augment the light in the room with a lamp.

We make the room brighter with a lamp.

Present simple.

The shop owner plans to augment his stock for the holidays.

He will buy more things to sell.

Infinitive phrase 'to augment'.

You can augment your income by working on Saturdays.

You can get more money by working extra.

Modal verb 'can' followed by base verb.

She augmented her dress with a beautiful belt.

She added a belt to make the dress look better.

Past simple tense.

The library augmented its book collection this year.

The library added many new books.

Past simple tense.

They are augmenting the house by adding a new room.

They are making the house bigger.

Present continuous tense.

He hopes to augment his skills by taking a computer course.

He wants to learn more skills.

Infinitive of purpose.

The chef augmented the soup with extra spices.

The chef added more spices to the soup.

Past simple.

We need to augment our savings for the car.

We need to save more money.

Verb 'need' + infinitive.

The museum augmented its display with interactive touchscreens.

They added technology to the existing display.

Past simple with a prepositional phrase 'with...'.

He augmented his salary by taking on freelance projects.

He increased his total earnings with extra work.

Gerund 'taking on' used to show how.

The city plans to augment the public transport system next year.

The city will add more buses or trains.

Transitive use with 'the public transport system' as object.

Farmers augment the soil with nutrients to grow better crops.

They add things to the dirt to help plants.

Present simple for general truths.

The software update will augment the security of your computer.

The update will make the security stronger.

Future tense indicating improvement.

She augmented her speech with several interesting anecdotes.

She added short stories to her talk.

Past simple.

We must augment our efforts if we want to finish on time.

We need to work harder/more.

Modal 'must' for necessity.

The company augmented its presence in Asia by opening a new office.

They grew their business in Asia.

Past simple.

The curriculum was augmented to include more vocational training.

The school program was expanded.

Passive voice 'was augmented'.

He sought to augment his reputation by publishing a second book.

He wanted to make his good name even better.

Infinitive of purpose after 'sought'.

The government is augmenting its emergency reserves of oil.

They are adding more oil to their storage.

Present continuous.

The athlete augmented her training regime with daily yoga sessions.

She added yoga to her existing workout.

Past simple.

New evidence has augmented our understanding of the virus.

We know more now because of new facts.

Present perfect tense.

The charity augmented its funds through a series of gala dinners.

They raised more money with events.

Past simple.

The app uses AR to augment the user's view of the night sky.

It adds digital info to what you see in the sky.

Present simple.

We need to augment the existing data with more recent statistics.

We need to add new numbers to the old ones.

Transitive verb usage.

The legal team was augmented by the hiring of two senior partners.

The team was strengthened by adding experts.

Passive voice highlighting the addition.

The composer augmented the melody by adding a complex counterpoint.

The music was made richer by adding another part.

Past simple describing artistic creation.

The study suggests that AI will augment, rather than replace, human jobs.

AI will help people do their jobs better, not take them.

Contrastive use of 'augment' and 'replace'.

Her income was significantly augmented by royalties from her inventions.

She made much more money from her patents.

Passive voice with adverbial modifier 'significantly'.

The military decided to augment its forces along the border.

They sent more soldiers to the border area.

Formal military context.

The digital archive is constantly being augmented with new records.

New records are always being added to the archive.

Present continuous passive.

The architect augmented the natural light in the building using skylights.

They added more sun by putting windows in the roof.

Past simple.

The university's endowment was augmented by a generous donation from an alumnus.

The school's money was increased by a former student.

Passive voice.

The philosophical discourse was augmented by perspectives from non-Western traditions.

The debate was made more profound by adding new ideas.

Abstract usage in academic context.

The company's strategy is to augment its core competencies through strategic acquisitions.

They will buy other companies to improve what they do best.

Formal business strategy language.

The poet's use of archaic language augments the sense of timelessness in the work.

Old words make the poem feel like it has no specific time.

Present simple describing literary effect.

The geopolitical landscape was augmented by the emergence of new economic powers.

The world situation changed as new countries got rich.

Complex passive structure.

The surgeon performed a procedure to augment the patient's bone density.

They made the bones stronger and thicker.

Medical technical usage.

By augmenting the existing infrastructure, the city avoided a total collapse of the grid.

By adding to the power lines/pipes, they saved the system.

Gerund phrase as a causal clause.

The novelist augmented the plot with several subplots that converged at the end.

The main story got extra stories that all met at the finish.

Past simple describing narrative structure.

The value of the estate was augmented by the discovery of a rare art collection.

The property became worth more because of the art.

Passive voice.

Synonyms

supplement increase enhance expand amplify boost

Antonyms

diminish reduce decrease

Common Collocations

augment income

augment staff

augmented reality

augment resources

augment capabilities

augment efforts

augment power

augment collection

augment understanding

augment production

Common Phrases

Staff augmentation

— Hiring outside personnel on a temporary basis to supplement an existing team.

We are using staff augmentation to finish the coding phase.

Augmented interval

— A musical interval that is a half-step larger than a major or perfect interval.

The piece features a haunting augmented fourth.

Augmented product

— A product that has been enhanced by the addition of extra features or services.

The warranty makes this an augmented product.

Human augmentation

— Technologies that enhance human productivity or capability, often through implants or wearables.

The debate over human augmentation is growing in ethics circles.

Augment the record

— To add more information to an existing official document or history.

The witness was asked to augment the record with more detail.

Augment the budget

— To increase the amount of money allocated for a specific purpose.

The council voted to augment the budget for road repairs.

Augmented feedback

— Information provided to a learner from an external source, like a coach or a screen.

The athlete used augmented feedback to improve his swing.

Augment the supply

— To increase the amount of goods or resources available.

The shipment will augment the local supply of medicine.

Augment the force

— To add more personnel to a military or police unit.

They sent reinforcements to augment the force at the border.

Augment the signal

— To make a transmission stronger or clearer.

Use a booster to augment the Wi-Fi signal in the basement.

Often Confused With

augment vs Argument

They sound similar but 'argument' is a disagreement or a set of reasons, while 'augment' is an increase.

augment vs Supplement

Supplement fills a lack; augment adds to something already there.

augment vs Enhance

Enhance improves quality; augment increases size or amount.

Idioms & Expressions

"Augment the ranks"

— To join a group or to increase the number of people in a group.

Many young graduates are augmenting the ranks of the unemployed.

formal

"Augment one's fortunes"

— To increase one's wealth or success.

He went West to augment his fortunes in the gold rush.

literary

"To augment the chorus"

— To add one's voice to a group of people who are all saying the same thing.

She added her complaints to augment the chorus of disapproval.

formal

"Augmented beyond measure"

— To be increased to an extreme or uncountable degree.

His anxiety was augmented beyond measure by the news.

literary

"Augment the flames"

— To make a situation (usually a bad one) even more intense or heated.

His angry words only served to augment the flames of the argument.

metaphorical

"Augment the shadow"

— To make a feeling of sadness or foreboding even stronger.

The dark clouds seemed to augment the shadow over the town.

poetic

"Augment the weight"

— To make a burden or responsibility feel heavier.

The new regulations augment the weight of our duties.

formal

"Augment the light"

— To bring more clarity or understanding to a situation.

These new facts augment the light on the historical mystery.

metaphorical

"Augment the flow"

— To increase the rate at which something moves or happens.

Lower taxes were intended to augment the flow of investment.

economic

"Augment the harvest"

— To increase the total yield of a crop or result.

New irrigation techniques will augment the harvest this year.

agricultural

Easily Confused

augment vs Increase

Both mean to make more.

Increase is general; augment is formal and implies adding a specific supplement.

The price increased. The king augmented his army.

augment vs Amplify

Both involve making something 'bigger'.

Amplify is for sound, signals, or intensity; augment is for size, amount, or value.

Amplify the sound. Augment the budget.

augment vs Aggrandize

Both mean to make greater.

Aggrandize often implies making something seem more important than it is (often negative); augment is neutral.

He aggrandized his role. They augmented the staff.

augment vs Extend

Both involve making something longer or larger.

Extend is usually about time or physical length; augment is about adding to the substance or value.

Extend the deadline. Augment the resources.

augment vs Magnify

Both make things look or be bigger.

Magnify means to make something appear larger (like with a lens); augment means to actually add to it.

Magnify the image. Augment the data.

Sentence Patterns

I want to augment my [noun].

I want to augment my collection.

The [noun] was augmented by [noun].

The team was augmented by new members.

By augmenting [noun], we can [verb].

By augmenting our efforts, we can finish early.

Seek to augment [noun] through [noun].

We seek to augment our income through investments.

The [abstract noun] serves to augment the [abstract noun].

The imagery serves to augment the sense of loss.

Augmenting [noun] with [noun] results in [noun].

Augmenting the data with AI results in better insights.

He augmented his [noun] with [noun].

He augmented his salary with a bonus.

It is necessary to augment [noun].

It is necessary to augment the current security measures.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in specific fields (Tech, Finance, Science), rare in general speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'augment' for decreasing. → Using 'diminish' or 'reduce'.
Augment strictly means to increase or add to.
Saying 'I want to augment more'. → I want to augment my [noun].
'Augment' needs a direct object.
Stressing the first syllable. → Stressing the second syllable (aug-MENT).
The verb stress is on the second syllable.
Using it for simple daily tasks. → Using 'add' or 'put'.
It sounds too formal for tasks like adding sugar to tea.
Confusing with 'argument'. → Augment (increase) vs. Argument (disagreement).
They sound similar but have completely different meanings.

Tips

Choose your context

Use 'augment' when writing a resume or a business report to describe how you added value to a project.

The + Rule

Whenever you see 'augment', think of a plus sign. You are plus-ing something to an existing item.

Common Pairs

Remember 'augment income' and 'augment staff' as these are the most common real-world uses.

Stress the end

Always put the emphasis on the 'MENT' part of the word to sound like a native speaker.

Academic Tone

In essays, use 'augment' instead of 'make bigger' to instantly improve your academic tone.

AR Connection

Think of Augmented Reality (AR) to remember that 'augment' means adding a digital layer to the real world.

Music Link

If you play an instrument, remember that an augmented interval is 'stretched' or 'added to'.

Transitive Verb

Always make sure you have an object. You can't just 'augment'; you must 'augment something'.

Nuance Check

If you are filling a hole, use 'supplement'. If you are adding to a pile, use 'augment'.

Visualizing Growth

Imagine a tree growing a new branch. The tree is being augmented by the new growth.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'AUGment' as adding an 'AUGment' (extra) piece to a puzzle to make it 'greater'. Or associate 'Augment' with 'August', a month where things have grown to their full size in summer.

Visual Association

Imagine a bar graph where a new, brightly colored section is being added to the top of an existing bar, making the whole bar taller.

Word Web

Income Reality Staff Capabilities Resources Data Security Knowledge

Challenge

Try to use 'augment' in a sentence about your favorite hobby and share it with a friend today.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'augmentare', which means to increase. This itself comes from 'augere', meaning to make grow.

Original meaning: To make something larger or to increase its value.

Italic -> Latin -> Old French -> Middle English.

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'augmentation' in medical contexts as it often refers specifically to breast surgery.

Used primarily in formal writing, news, and professional settings. Rare in casual speech.

Augmented Reality (AR) technology Augmented Chords in Jazz and Classical music Human Augmentation in science fiction (like Deus Ex or Cyberpunk)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Technology

augmented reality
data augmentation
augmented intelligence
system augmentation

Finance

augment income
augment capital
augment revenue
augment assets

Human Resources

staff augmentation
augment the workforce
augment skills
augment talent

Music

augmented chord
augmented fifth
augmented fourth
augmented interval

Science

augment bone density
augment the sample size
augment the signal
biological augmentation

Conversation Starters

"How do you think augmented reality will change the way we shop in the future?"

"What are some creative ways you have found to augment your income?"

"Do you think AI will augment human jobs or completely replace them?"

"If you could augment one of your five senses, which one would it be and why?"

"How can we augment our current education system to better prepare students for the future?"

Journal Prompts

Reflect on a skill you would like to augment this year and describe your plan to achieve it.

Write about a time you had to augment your resources to overcome a difficult challenge.

Describe how your life would change if you had access to augmented reality glasses every day.

Discuss the ethical implications of human augmentation in the next fifty years.

How do you augment your mental well-being during stressful periods of your life?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually in a professional context like 'augment the staff' or 'augment the team'. It means adding more people to the group.

Essentially yes, but 'augment' is much more formal and usually implies that the addition makes the original thing significantly better or larger.

It is a technology that overlays digital information (like images or text) onto the real world, usually seen through a phone or special glasses.

The word 'augment' is primarily a verb. The noun form is 'augmentation'. In some technical linguistic contexts, 'augment' can be a noun, but this is very rare.

Usually, yes. It implies improvement or growth. However, you could 'augment a problem' if you add things that make it worse, though this is less common.

It is pronounced awg-MENT, with the stress on the second syllable.

No, it is a C1 level word. You will mostly find it in news, business, and technology contexts.

In music, it is a chord where the fifth note is raised by a half-step, making the interval larger.

You can, but it sounds very strange and overly formal. It is better to say 'I added milk to my coffee'.

The most direct opposites are 'diminish', 'decrease', or 'deplete'.