increase
ihn-KREES
Increase (verb) means to become larger in amount, number, or degree. Example: “Sales increased sharply after the advertising campaign.”
verb
1
To become larger in amount, number, or degree.
"Sales increased sharply after the advertising campaign."
"Traffic tends to increase during the holidays."
"The number of visitors to the park will increase as the weather improves."
2
To make something larger in amount, number, or degree.
"The company increased wages to keep up with inflation."
"The shop increased its opening hours to serve more customers."
"You can increase the volume by pressing the button on the side."
noun
1
The amount by which something grows, or the act of growing larger.
"There was a noticeable increase in customer complaints last month."
"A small increase in temperature can change how quickly the ice melts."
"Everyone welcomed the increase in time allowed for the exam."
How to use increase
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo grow bigger, or to make something bigger — in size, amount, or level.
Common pairings
sharp increase
increase in demand
increase productivity
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Word forms
- Plural
- increases
- Third person singular
- increases
- Past tense
- increased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Sales _____ sharply after the advertising campaign.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman encreistre, from Latin increscere ("to grow"), from in- plus crescere ("to grow").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for increase
See all rhymes for increase →Frequently asked questions
What does “increase” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “increase”?
“Increase” is pronounced ihn-KREES (/ɪnˈkɹiːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “increase” in a sentence?
Here is “increase” used in a sentence: “Sales increased sharply after the advertising campaign.”
What is another word for “increase”?
Words with a similar meaning to “increase” include wax, go up, grow, soar, shoot up and greaten.
What is the opposite of “increase”?
The opposite of “increase” — its antonyms — are decrease, drop, fall, go down and plummet.
What part of speech is “increase”?
Depending on how it is used, “increase” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “increase” come from?
The word “increase” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman encreistre, from Latin increscere ("to grow"), from in- plus crescere ("to grow").
Is “increase” a common word?
“Increase” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between increase and rise?
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.
What is the opposite of increase?
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.
What is an example of increase used in a sentence?
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.
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