increase
increase Lexical Profile
increase Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An instance of growing or making greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree.
"The company reported a significant increase in quarterly revenue following the launch of its new software."
The amount or degree by which something becomes larger or greater.
"Employees received a modest salary increase of four percent to help offset the rising cost of living."
• verb
To become greater in size, amount, number, intensity, or degree.
"Global demand for renewable energy sources continues to increase every year."
To make something greater in size, amount, number, intensity, or degree.
"Regular physical exercise and a balanced diet can significantly increase your overall energy levels."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Increase' is a classic English heteronym: as a noun, the stress falls on the first syllable (IN-crease), whereas as a verb, the stress shifts to the second syllable (in-CREASE).
• Rhymes for increase
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Anglo-Norman encrescer and Old French encreistre, ultimately from Latin increscere ('to grow in or upon'), formed from in- ('into, upon') and crescere ('to grow').