Reading Theme:
Enrich: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：make better by adding to (enrich)
enrich
/ɪnˈrɪtʃ/
vt.
To make something better by adding more useful, valuable, or interesting things to it.
make better by adding to
➕
/meɪk ˈbetər baɪ ˈædɪŋ tu/
vt.
To improve the quality, value, or content of something by adding desirable elements.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From en- (cause to be) + rich (wealthy). Literally 'to make rich'.
💡 Mnemonic
EN-RICH: Enhance and make RICH. Add value to X.
📖 Example
Our teacher often uses stories and games to enrich the lessons, making them more engaging for everyone.
Our teacher often uses stories and games to make the lessons better by adding to them, making them more engaging for everyone.
🔗 Collocations
enrich one's life – to make one's life more meaningful or fulfilling
enrich the soil – to improve soil quality by adding nutrients
enrich knowledge – to increase the depth and breadth of one's understanding
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
impoverish (vt.) – To make poor in quality; to exhaust the strength or richness of.
deplete (vt.) – To use up the supply or resources of.
weaken (vt.) – To reduce the strength or effectiveness of.
🌱 Derivatives
enrichment (n.) – The action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something.
enriched (adj.) – Having had quality, value, or nutritional content improved by addition.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'enrich' entered English around the 14th century from Old French 'enrichir', itself from the Latin root 'dives', meaning rich. Its evolution from purely financial ('to make wealthy') to broader qualitative enhancement ('to improve the quality of') mirrors societal focus on both material and intellectual prosperity.
Meaning 2：make wealthier (enrich)
enrich
/ɪnˈrɪtʃ/
vt.
To make someone or a country have more money or resources; to make wealthier.
make wealthier
➕
/meɪk ˈwelθiər/
vt.
To increase the wealth or resources of a person, group, or country.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The discovery of valuable minerals in the region helped to enrich the nation, funding new schools and hospitals.
The discovery of valuable minerals in the region helped to make the nation wealthier, funding new schools and hospitals.
🔗 Collocations
enrich a nation – to increase a country's wealth or resources
enrich oneself – to make oneself richer, often used critically
enrich the coffers – to fill the treasury or financial reserves of an organization
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
impoverish (vt.) – To make a person or area poor.
bankrupt (vt.) – To reduce to a state of financial ruin.
ruin (vt.) – To cause the complete loss of someone's money or means.
🌱 Derivatives
enrichment (n.) – The process of making someone wealthy.
enriched (adj.) – Having become wealthier.
Wordbook
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