increase

1 of 2

verb

in·​crease in-ˈkrēs  ˈin-ˌkrēs 

increased; increasing

intransitive verb

1

: to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)

2

: to multiply by the production of young

transitive verb

1

: to make greater : augment

2

obsolete : enrich

increasable

in-ˈkrē-sə-bəl 

ˈin-ˌkrē-

adjective

increaser noun

increase

2 of 2

noun

in·​crease ˈin-ˌkrēs  in-ˈkrēs 

1

: the act or process of increasing: such as

a

: addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity

b

obsolete : propagation

2

: something that is added to an original stock or amount by augmentation or growth (such as offspring, produce, profit)

Phrases

on the increase

: becoming greater (as in size, number, or amount) : increasing

crime is on the increase

Synonyms

Verb

• expand
• boost
• augment
• raise
• multiply
• extend
• enhance

Noun

• boost
• gain
• addition
• raise
• rise

Choose the Right Synonym for increase

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of increase in a Sentence

Verb

The house increased in value.

She increased her wealth substantially.

Noun

an increase in life expectancy

The employees expect some increase in wages.

The construction will probably cause some increase in traffic delays.

The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent.

an increase of three dollars

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ratcliffe has since increased his stake to nearly 30 per cent after spending a further $300m on new shares. —Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 19 June 2025

The increasing supply of NPs and PAs could offset this primary care shortfall if their capabilities were fully utilized. —Web Golinkin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Noun

According to his numbers, these implementations deliver a 20% increase in sales with this automation. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

The Japanese government is introducing subsidies to help farmers meet demand, and MAFF reported a nearly 3x increase in matcha production in 2023, up to 4k tons from the 1.5k tons produced in 2010. —HubSpot, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English encresen, from Anglo-French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- + crescere to grow — more at crescent

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing increase

• on the increase

Rhymes for increase

• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise
• decease
• decrease
• eyepiece
• facepiece
• handpiece
• headpiece
• mouthpiece

Kids Definition

increase

1 of 2 verb

in·​crease in-ˈkrēs  ˈin-ˌkrēs 

increased; increasing

1

: to make or become greater

increase speed

skill increases with practice

2

: to become more numerous by the production of young

increase

2 of 2 noun

in·​crease ˈin-ˌkrēs  in-ˈkrēs 

1

: the act of increasing

2

: something added (as by growth)