increase

American  

[in-krees, in-krees] / ɪnˈkris, ˈɪn kris /

verb (used with object)

increased, increasing

1. to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to.

   to increase taxes.

   Synonyms:

   prolong, extend, expand

   Antonyms:

   decrease

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verb (used without object)

increased, increasing

1. to become greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality.

   Sales of automobiles increased last year.

   Antonyms:

   wane, lessen, contract, abate, decrease

2. to multiply by propagation.

   Synonyms:

   swell, grow, expand, propagate, propagate

3. to wax, as the moon.

noun

1. growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc..

   the increase of crime.

2. the act or process of increasing.

   Synonyms:

   expansion, enlargement

3. that by which something is increased.

4. the result of increasing.

5. produce of the earth.

6. product; profit; interest.

7. Obsolete.

   1. multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.

   2. offspring; progeny.

increase British  

/ ɪnˈkriːsɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to make or become greater in size, degree, frequency, etc; grow or expand

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noun

1. the act of increasing; augmentation

2. the amount by which something increases

3. increasing, esp becoming more frequent

Usage

What does increase mean? To increase is to become greater or more in number, amount, size, or in some other way, as in Our profits will increase as demand increases.As a verb, increase is also used in an active way in which someone or something is doing the increasing, as in I’m going to increase my hours at work or These sunglasses increase visibility.Increase can also be used as a noun referring to a rise or growth in something, as in We are experiencing an increase in applicants.It can also refer to the amount by which something has increased, as in The increase was $5,000 per year.The words increased and increasing can both be used as adjectives, as in an increased appetite or increasing sales.The opposite of increase as both a verb and a noun is decrease.Example: My boss increased my workload, which led to an increase in stress.

Other Word Forms

• increasable adjective
• increasedly adverb
• increaser noun
• nonincreasable adjective
• nonincrease noun
• preincrease noun
• proincrease adjective
• quasi-increased adjective
• reincrease verb
• superincrease verb (used with object)
• unincreasable adjective
• unincreased adjective

Etymology

Origin of increase

First recorded in 1370–1395; Middle English incresen, encresen, from Anglo-French encres-, Middle French encreis(s)-, stem of encreistre, from Latin incrēscere, equivalent to in- in- ² + crēscere “to grow”; crescent

Example Sentences

She says it could increase the chance of progress on discussions about reparations, or some form of compensation.

From BBC

If the stock’s P/E rose to 30, EPS would have to increase by 33% a year, still a tall task.

From Barron's

Historically, Netflix has proven its ability to limit churn from price increases, and the most recent hikes are expected to play out in the same fashion.

From Barron's

Hayes wrote the firm’s “next allocation move will most likely be another increase in the cash allocation” if the Global Bond/Cash Composite and Global Stock/Bond Composite continue to decline as bond yields rise.

From Barron's

“Right now, populations are increasing due to favorable conditions, and black flies can travel up to five miles from where they emerge, which is why they’re being seen throughout the community.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advance
• boost
• broaden
• build
• build up
• deepen
• develop
• double
• enhance
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• extend
• further
• heighten
• intensify
• multiply
• raise
• reinforce
• rise