English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj Uncommon

ascending

uh-SEHN-dihng

Ascending (adj) means increasing step by step; rising in order from lowest to highest. Example: “The numbers are listed in ascending order.”

adj
1
Increasing step by step; rising in order from lowest to highest.
"The numbers are listed in ascending order."
"Prices are shown in ascending order on the results page."
2
Moving or sloping upward.
"The trail follows an ascending path along the ridge."

How to Use Ascending

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGoing from smallest/lowest to biggest/highest, or physically sloping upward.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
ascending order sort in ascending order ascending scale

Word Forms

ascendings plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “ascending” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The numbers are listed in _____ order.

Etymology

The -ing form of "ascend," from Latin ascendere, "to climb up."

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

Related Words

Rhymes for ascending

See all rhymes for ascending →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “ascending” mean?

The word “ascending” means increasing step by step; rising in order from lowest to highest. In plain terms, going from smallest/lowest to biggest/highest, or physically sloping upward.

How do you pronounce “ascending”?

“Ascending” is pronounced uh-SEHN-dihng (/əˈsɛn.dɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “ascending” in a sentence?

Here is “ascending” used in a sentence: “The numbers are listed in ascending order.”

What is the opposite of “ascending”?

The opposite of “ascending” — its antonyms — is descending.

What part of speech is “ascending”?

“Ascending” is an adjective.

Where does the word “ascending” come from?

The word “ascending” comes from Latin. The -ing form of "ascend," from Latin ascendere, "to climb up.".

Is “ascending” a common word?

“Ascending” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “ascending” have?

“Ascending” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: increasing step by step; rising in order from lowest to highest.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial