increasing

American  

[in-kree-sing] / ɪnˈkri sɪŋ /

adjective

1. growing larger or greater; enlarging; augmenting.

2. Mathematics. (of a function) having the property that for any two points in the domain such that one is larger than the other, the image of the larger point is greater than or equal to the image of the smaller point; nondecreasing.

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Usage

What does increasing mean? Increasing is an adjective that means growing or rising—becoming greater or more in number, amount, size, or in some other way. It comes from the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb increase, which means to become greater or more in number, amount, size, or in some other way, as in Our profits will increase as demand increases. The word increased can also be used as an adjective to describe things that have risen or grown, as in an increased appetite. Example: The increasing value of the dollar.

Other Word Forms

• increasingly
  adverb
• unincreasing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of increasing

First recorded in 1590–1600; see origin at increase, -ing ²

Explanation

Increasing means getting bigger or expanding. You'll be glad to have an increasing income, but perhaps less glad to have an increasing pants size. The adjective increasing describes anything that grows or becomes greater. Increasing volume from your neighbor's radio will drive you crazy, since it's getting louder and louder. If your tiny school attracts increasing numbers of new students, it's likely that new teachers will need to be hired. Increasing comes from the verb increase, or grow, with its Latin root word, increscere, "to grow upon, grow over, swell, or grow into."

Example Sentences

Moody’s base case is for yields to settle at around 2.5% by end-2026, moderately increasing debt-servicing costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

The rise has been fueled by urbanization, less healthy diets, more sedentary lifestyles, reduced physical activity, population aging, and increasing rates of overweight and obesity.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

The strike comes days after the authorities raised petroleum prices to record levels, with costs increasing by more than 20%.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

While still increasing subscriber numbers, Medicare Advantage has seen its gains cooling.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Then I use my 4B pencil to create darker tones, increasing the contrast.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• accelerating
• deepening
• escalating
• growing
• intensifying