Words / C1

in-RICH/ɪnˈrɪtʃ/

To enrich is to improve the quality of something by adding to it: enrich your vocabulary, soil enriched with compost. Improve is everyday and broader; enhance is a close formal cousin; supplement is add extra. Enrichment is the noun (an enrichment programme). In chemistry, enriched uranium is a technical sense. In speech, make it richer / better is enough. Enrich implies added value, not a complete rebuild. Do not use it for gilding a bad essay with one fancy word.

Meaning

To improve the quality of something by adding to it.

Examples

• “Reading will enrich your vocabulary.”
• “Reading widely will enrich your vocabulary more than a list of rare adjectives.”
• “The visit enriched the history unit; it did not replace the textbook chapter.”

Good to know

Make richer or better by adding. Everyday: improve / make richer. Close: enhance. Noun: enrichment. Also technical (enriched fuel). Not a rebuild.

Near in meaning

enhance

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