Definitions for increase
ɪnˈkris; ˈɪn krisin·crease

Princeton's WordNet(2.85 / 13 votes)Rate this definition:

1. addition, increase, gainnoun

   a quantity that is added

   "there was an addition to property taxes this year"; "they recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks"

2. increasenoun

   a change resulting in an increase

   "the increase is scheduled for next month"

3. increase, increment, growthnoun

   a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important

   "the increase in unemployment"; "the growth of population"

4. increase, incrementnoun

   the amount by which something increases

   "they proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare"

5. increase, step-upverb

   the act of increasing something

   "he gave me an increase in salary"

6. increaseverb

   become bigger or greater in amount

   "The amount of work increased"

7. increaseverb

   make bigger or more

   "The boss finally increased her salary"; "The university increased the number of students it admitted"

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. increasenoun

   An amount by which a quantity is increased.

2. increasenoun

   For a quantity, the act or process of becoming larger

3. increaseverb

   to become larger.

4. increaseverb

   To make (a quantity) larger.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Increasenoun

   Etymology: from the verb.

   1. Augmentation; the state of growing more or greater.

   For three years he liv'd with large increase
   In arms of honour, and esteem in peace. Dryden.

   Hail, bards triumphant! born in happier days,
   Whose honours with increase of ages grow,
   As streams roll down, enlarging as they flow. Alexander Pope.

   2. Increment; that which is added to the original stock.3. Produce.

   As Hesiod sings, spread waters o'er thy field,
   And a most just and glad increase 'twill yield. John Denham.

   Those grains which grew produced an increase beyond expectation. John Mortimer, Husbandry.

   4. Generation.

   Into her womb convey sterility;
   Dry up in her the organs of increase,
   And from her derogate body never spring a babe. William Shakespeare.

   5. Progeny.

   Him young Thoasa bore, the bright increase
   Of Phorcys. Alexander Pope, Odyssey.

   6. The state of waxing, or growing full orbed. Used of the moon.

   Seeds, hair, nails, hedges and herbs, will grow soonest, if set or cut in the increase of the moon. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist.

2. To Increaseverb

   To make more or greater.

   He hath increased in Judah mourning and lamentation. Sam.

   I will increase the famine, and break your staff of bread. Ezek. v. 16.

   I will increase them with men like a flock. Ezek. xxxvi.

   Hye thee from this slaughter-house,
   Lest thou increase the number of the dead. William Shakespeare, R. III.

   Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. Matthew Hale.

   It serves to increase that treasure, or to preserve it. William Temple.

3. To Increaseverb

   To grow more in number, or greater in bulk; to advance in quantity or value, or in any quality capable of being more or less.

   Etymology: in and cresco, Lat.

   Hear and observe to do it, that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily. Deutr. vi. 3.

   Profane and vain babbling will increase unto ungodliness. 2 Tim. ii. 16.

   From fifty to threescore he loses not much in fancy, and judgment, the effect of observation, still increases. Dryden.

   Henry, in knots, involving Emma's name
   Upon this tree; and, as the tender mark,
   Grew with the year, and widen'd with the bark:
   Venus had heard the virgin's soft address,
   That as the wound the passion might increase. Matthew Prior.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Increaseverb

   to become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; -- opposed to decrease

2. Increaseverb

   to multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific

3. Increaseverb

   to become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases

4. Increaseverb

   to augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence

5. Increaseverb

   addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth

6. Increaseverb

   that which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest

7. Increaseverb

   progeny; issue; offspring

8. Increaseverb

   generation

9. Increaseverb

   the period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; -- said of the moon

Freebase(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Increase

   In knitting, an increase is the creation of one or more new stitches, which may be done by various methods with distinctive looks.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Increase

   in-krēs′, v.i. to grow in size: to become greater: to advance.—v.t. to make greater: to advance: to extend: to aggravate.—adj. Increas′able.—ns. Increas′ableness; In′crease, growth: addition to the original stock: profit: produce: progeny.—adj. Increase′ful (Shak.), abundant of produce.—adv. Increas′ingly, in the way of increase. [M. E. incresen—en (L. in), and O. Fr. creisser, croistre—L. crescĕre, to grow.]

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Change Magnitude
   • Process

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'increase' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1053

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'increase' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1259

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'increase' in Nouns Frequency: #371

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'increase' in Verbs Frequency: #120

Anagrams for increase »

1. cerasein

How to pronounce increase?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say increase in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of increase in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of increase in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of increase in a Sentence

1. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove:

   If we relax our adherence to the rules we increase the risk for others.

2. Brian Hansford:

   As arrivals increase, the reception capacity and conditions remain seriously inadequate, this is a regional problem that needs a regional response and regional solidarity.

3. Wednesday Weale:

   Compared with the Autumn, when I was voting for an increase in Bank Rate, the fall in oil prices has certainly provided some unexpected breathing space. It is, however, at present no more than that.

4. State Department:

   The secretary expressed grave concern about the sharp increase in separatist attacks in Eastern Ukraine, and urged an immediate ceasefire and full implementation of Minsk obligations.

5. John Carey:

   People are going to be wondering about the Fed and whether a possible rate increase has been discounted by the market already.

Popularity rank by frequency of use