raise
rayz
Raise (verb) means to move or lift something to a higher position. Example: “Dancers slowly raised their arms above their heads as the music swelled.”
verb
1
To move or lift something to a higher position.
"Dancers slowly raised their arms above their heads as the music swelled."
"Please raise your hand if you have a question."
"They raised the flag at sunrise."
2
To increase the amount, level, or intensity of something.
"Shops often raise their prices just before the holiday season begins."
"The landlord raised the rent again this year."
"He raised his voice so everyone could hear."
3
To bring up and care for a child, or to breed and tend animals or crops, until they are grown.
"My grandmother raised chickens in the back garden when I was little."
"They raised three children in a small farmhouse."
"The family has raised cattle on this land for generations."
4
To bring up a subject, question, or objection for discussion.
"Nobody wanted to raise the issue of the broken heating at the meeting."
"Can I raise a question about how the marking works?"
"I'd like to raise a concern about the new schedule."
noun
1
An increase in salary or pay.
"He was thrilled when his boss announced a raise for the whole team."
"A small raise helped them cope with the rising cost of living."
"She asked her manager for a raise after two strong years."
How to use raise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lift something up, increase it, bring up a topic, or bring up children — and, as a noun, a pay increase.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "rise", which doesn't take a direct object — you raise something, but something else rises by itself.
UK vs US
American English uses "raise" for a pay increase; British English usually says "pay rise" instead.
Common pairings
raise a hand
raise a question
raise the price
ask for a raise
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Word forms
- Plural
- raises
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Dancers slowly _____ their arms above their heads as the music swelled.
Etymology
From Old Norse reisa, "to erect" or "cause to rise" — the causative partner of the verb "rise".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for raise
See all rhymes for raise →Frequently asked questions
What does “raise” mean?
The word “raise” means to move or lift something to a higher position. In plain terms, to lift something up, increase it, bring up a topic, or bring up children — and, as a noun, a pay increase.
How do you pronounce “raise”?
“Raise” is pronounced rayz (/ɹeɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “raise” in a sentence?
Here is “raise” used in a sentence: “Please raise your hand if you have a question.”
What part of speech is “raise”?
Depending on how it is used, “raise” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “raise” come from?
The word “raise” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse reisa, "to erect" or "cause to rise" — the causative partner of the verb "rise".
Is “raise” a common word?
“Raise” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “raise” have?
“Raise” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move or lift something to a higher position.
What is the difference between 'raise' and 'rise'?
'Raise' needs an object — you raise something: 'raise your hand,' 'raise the flag.' 'Rise' has no object — something rises by itself: 'the sun rises,' 'prices rise.' In short, you raise a thing, but a thing rises on its own. Raise is transitive; rise is intransitive.
What is the difference between 'raise' and 'raze'?
Though they sound alike, they are near opposites. 'Raise' means to lift something up or build it higher. 'Raze' means to tear a building or structure completely down to the ground. So you might raise a house by constructing it, then later raze it during demolition.
What are the different meanings of 'raise'?
Beyond lifting something physically, 'raise' has many senses: to increase an amount ('raise prices'), to bring up a child ('raise a family'), to mention a topic ('raise a question'), to collect money ('raise funds'), and to grow crops or animals. Context tells you which meaning applies.
Does 'raise' mean a pay increase?
As a noun, 'raise' commonly means an increase in salary, especially in American English ('she got a raise'). British English often uses 'rise' for this ('a pay rise'). As a verb, raising pay simply means increasing it. The lifting sense and the salary sense share the idea of moving something higher.
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