increase

The word “increase” means to become larger in amount, number, or degree. In plain terms, to grow bigger, or to make something bigger — in size, amount, or level.

“Increase” is pronounced ihn-KREES (/ɪnˈkɹiːs/ in IPA).

Here is “increase” used in a sentence: “Sales increased sharply after the advertising campaign.”

Words with a similar meaning to “increase” include wax, go up, grow, soar, shoot up and greaten.

The opposite of “increase” — its antonyms — are decrease, drop, fall, go down and plummet.

Depending on how it is used, “increase” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “increase” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman encreistre, from Latin increscere ("to grow"), from in- plus crescere ("to grow").

“Increase” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Both mean to go up, but increase often stresses growth in amount, number, or degree and can be caused by an action, as in "raise or increase prices." Rise tends to describe upward movement that happens on its own, like temperatures rising. Increase can also be used with an object; rise usually cannot.

The clearest opposites are decrease, reduce, and lower. Where increase means to become larger in amount, number, or degree, these words mean to become or make smaller. "Decrease" is the direct mirror, while "reduce" and "lower" stress deliberately bringing something down.

You might say, "Sales increased sharply over the summer," or "Regular exercise can increase your energy." In the first, a number grows on its own; in the second, an action causes the growth. Both show something becoming larger in amount or degree.