Cool MateHeighten vs Intensify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Heighten
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Intensify
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
| Heighten | Intensify | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhaɪtn/","/ˈhaɪtnz/","/ˈhaɪtnd/","/ˈhaɪtnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhaɪtn/","/ˈhaɪtnz/","/ˈhaɪtnd/","/ˈhaɪtnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪz/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪd/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪz/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪd/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something stronger or more intense. | To make something stronger or more extreme. |
| Example | Tension has heightened after the recent bomb attack. | Violence intensified during the night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | dramatically, greatly, further, serve to | greatly, dramatically, rapidly, seem to, tend to, be likely to |
| Antonyms | lower, reduce, diminish | diminish, reduce, weaken |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hasten' — meaning to speed up., Using 'heighten' with an incorrect noun (e.g., 'heighten a person' instead of 'heighten awareness'). | Using 'intensify' incorrectly with inanimate objects, like 'intensify the chair.', Confusing 'intensify' with 'intensification', which is a different form., Using 'intensify' in past tense incorrectly, such as 'intensified' without context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'heighten' in contexts where you want to emphasize an increase in sensation or effect. It's appropriate for formal and neutral contexts but may feel out of place in casual conversations. | Use 'intensify' when describing emotions, situations, or actions that become stronger. It fits in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Heighten vs Intensify
What's the difference between Heighten and Intensify?
Heighten: To make something stronger or more intense. Intensify: To make something stronger or more extreme.
Are Heighten and Intensify the same CEFR level?
Heighten: C1, Intensify: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Heighten and Intensify interchangeably?
Not always. Heighten and Intensify are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.