increase
Americanverb (used with object)
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increases,
present (3rd person singular)
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increased,
past participle, past
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increasing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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increases,
present (3rd person singular)
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increased,
past participle, past
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increasing
present participle
noun
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increases
plural
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growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc..
the increase of crime.
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the act or process of increasing.
- Synonyms:
- expansion, enlargement
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that by which something is increased.
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the result of increasing.
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produce of the earth.
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product; profit; interest.
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Obsolete.
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multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.
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offspring; progeny.
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verb
noun
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the act of increasing; augmentation
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the amount by which something increases
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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
Derived Forms
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increasernoun
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nonincreasenoun
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preincreasenoun
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superincreasenoun
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reincreaseverb
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preincreaseverb (used with object)
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superincreaseverb (used with object)
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increasableadjective
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nonincreasableadjective
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proincreaseadjective
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quasi-increasedadjective
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unincreasableadjective
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unincreasedadjective
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increasedlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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increasesimple
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increasessimple
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have increasedperfect
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has increasedperfect
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am increasingprogressive
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are increasingprogressive
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is increasingprogressive
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have been increasingperfect progressive
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has been increasingperfect progressive
Past
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increasedsimple
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had increasedperfect
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was increasingprogressive
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were increasingprogressive
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had been increasingperfect progressive
Future
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”; see crescent
Explanation
The noun increase indicates growth of something that gets bigger in number or volume. When used as a verb, it means the act of growing or gaining more. However it's used, it refers to something that has gotten bigger. Anything that can add on can increase. You can increase your speed to go faster, increase your strength by working out, increase your knowledge by studying, and increase your circle of friends by meeting more people. You can work harder to see an increase of profits, and you can prevent an increase in your electric bill by turning out unnecessary lights. And now you’ve increased your vocabulary by learning a new word!
Vocabulary lists containing increase
"Siberian Survivors" and "Tigers in the Wild"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Arithmetic, List 1
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Unit 17, Lesson 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They say they can’t assume that a recent increase in freight demand or the run-up in diesel prices will make zero-emission trucking more cost competitive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Both can increase overall vitamin D status, but a growing body of evidence indicates that D3 is generally more effective at raising and maintaining the main form of vitamin D measured in the blood.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
The WWF report highlighted other species recoveries around the world, including an increase of more than 70% in the number of wild tigers - from around 3,200 in 2010 to about 5,700 in 2025.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
US Federal Reserve officials expect to hike interest rates again before the end of the year, according to minutes of their September meeting, where everyone agreed to the first increase since July 2023.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
A lengthy prison term may increase the odds that re-entry will be extremely difficult, leading to relapse, and re-imprisonment.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Analysts say rising production costs have become increasingly difficult to absorb as Samsung seeks to limit price increases to maintain shipment volumes and market share.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
The electric fan system increases downforce and reduces drag, according to the patent, for which Tesla applied in 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Obesity increases the risk of many different diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Instead, the largest increases occurred around predictable events such as keeper arrivals and times when the animals were moved between areas of their habitat.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
Quang-ha hits a button on the remote and increases the volume.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
During the last five years, property prices and rents in Spain have increased more than 66%, according to the real estate portal Indomio.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Across these studies, higher levels of dairy trans fats were not associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke or cardiovascular death.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
As part of this, it said Thursday it has increased its stake in Manthey to 67% and will broaden its collaboration with the company in areas such as special models, performance kits and track experiences.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
It added that there is a "pressing need for increased and more equitable access to adequate mental health services".
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
On the gentlemen’s appearing, her colour increased; yet she received them with tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from any symptom of resentment or any unnecessary complaisance.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Instead, the surprising finding is that increasing one form appears to coincide with a reduction in the other.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Some of those selected will feature in a Pro Flag Showcase during Super Bowl week in February while an increasing number of flag football scholarships are being made available at US colleges.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Output growth was driven by an especially strong rise in construction output, with mechanical equipment manufacturing also increasing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
“My plan is to open that up so that we build outwards, not just upwards, increasing the amount of space we use for housing.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
I’m walking away from the steps, backward, increasing the space between Jeremy and me, with Soon-Lee the monkey in the middle.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
