increase

American  

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

verb (used with object)

increases, present (3rd person singular) increased, past participle, past increasing present participle

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)

increases, present (3rd person singular) increased, past participle, past increasing present participle

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

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

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has increased
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been increasing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have increased
  perfect
• am increasing
  progressive 1st person singular
• are increasing
  progressive
• is increasing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been increasing
  perfect progressive
• increases
  singular 3rd person
• increasing
  participle

Past

• had increased
  perfect
• were increasing
  progressive plural
• was increasing
  progressive singular
• had been increasing
  perfect progressive
• increased
  participle
• increased
  simple

Future

• will increase
  simple
• will have increased
  perfect
• will be increasing
  progressive
• will have been increasing
  perfect progressive

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!

Example Sentences

Local officials said dozens of lenders, under pressure to increase balance sheets to attract foreign investors, signed up impoverished borrowers with little regard for their ability to repay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The calculation compares average inflation for the third quarter of the current year with average inflation for the third quarter of the prior year—the percentage increase between the two is the COLA.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Bonta and LoPresti said that the building of an ICE facility in Gilroy signals a desire by the federal government to increase enforcement in the area.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Frasers has built a reputation for swooping in to buy retail brands which have fallen into administration, but its gradual increase in ownership of profit-making Hugo Boss over several years is a different approach.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Musical activities, including singing or playing instruments, can increase the self-esteem level of the child.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

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