Increases
ɪnˈkriːsɪz
Definitions
2 meaningsTo become larger or greater, or to make something larger or greater.
ɪnˈkriːsɪz
To become or make greater in size, amount, or degree.
The price of gasoline increases every month.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking cookies and you want to make more. 'Increases' means the number of cookies gets bigger! It's like when you add more ingredients to a recipe.
👶 For kids: To make something bigger or more.
More Examples
As the population increases, so does the demand for housing.
The power of the hurricane increases as it moves over the ocean.
How It's Used
"The company's profits increases every quarter."
"The rate of the reaction increases with temperature."
The act or process of growing or becoming larger; an enlargement or addition.
ɪnˈkriːsɪz
An instance of becoming larger or greater in size, amount, or degree.
There has been a steady increase in the number of online shoppers.
💡 Simply: Think about your salary. An 'increase' is when your paycheck gets a bigger number! It's the *extra* money you get.
👶 For kids: When something gets bigger or more, like when you get more toys.
More Examples
The company is projecting an increase in sales next year.
The doctor noted an increase in the patient's blood pressure.
How It's Used
"The government announced an increase in interest rates."
"There was a significant increase in the number of flu cases this year."
Synonyms
Augment
Enlarge
Escalate
Expand
Grow
Accumulation
Augmentation
Enlargement
Expansion
Growth
From Middle English *incresen*, from Old French *encreistre* (French *accroître*), from Latin *increscere* (“to grow, increase”), from *in-* (“in, on”) + *crescere* (“to grow”).
The word "increase" has been used since Middle English, and originally had a broader meaning, including growth in spiritual sense. Early usages often related to growth in wealth, number, or strength.
Memory tip
Think of "increase" as making something "in-create" more.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: crescere