increase Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a quantity that is added
    addition; gain.
    • there was an addition to property taxes this year
    • they recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks
  2. noun a change resulting in an increase
    • the increase is scheduled for next month
  3. noun a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important
    growth; increment.
    • the increase in unemployment
    • the growth of population
  4. noun the amount by which something increases
    increment.
    • they proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare
  5. noun the act of increasing something
    step-up.
    • he gave me an increase in salary
  6. verb become bigger or greater in amount
    • The amount of work increased
  7. verb make bigger or more
    • The boss finally increased her salary
    • The university increased the number of students it admitted

WordNet

In*crease" intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. incresen, encresen, enrescen, OF. encreistre, fr. L. increscere; pref. in- in + crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf. Decrease.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Increased ; present participle & verbal noun Increasing
Definitions
  1. 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.
    The waters increased and bare up the ark. Gen. vii. 17.
    He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30.
    The heavens forbid But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow! Shak.
  2. To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
    Fishes are more numerous of increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. Sir M. Hale.
  3. (Astron.) To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases. Syn. -- To enlarge; extend; multiply; expand; develop; heighten; amplify; raise; enhance; spread; aggravate; magnify; augment; advance. -- To Increase, Enlarge, Extend. Enlarge implies to make larger or broader in size. Extend marks the progress of enlargement so as to have wider boundaries. Increase denotes enlargement by growth and internal vitality, as in the case of plants. A kingdom is enlarged by the addition of new territories; the mind is enlarged by knowledge. A kingdom is extended when its boundaries are carried to a greater distance from the center. A man's riches, honors, knowledge, etc., are increased by accessions which are made from time to time.
In*crease" transitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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.
    I will increase the famine. Ezek. v. 16.
    Make denials Increase your services. Shak.
In"crease noun
Etymology
OE. encres, encresse. See Increase, v. i.
Definitions
  1. Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.
    As if increase of appetite had grown By what if fed on. Shak.
    For things of tender kind for pleasure made Shoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd. Dryden.
  2. That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest.
    Take thou no usury of him, or increase. Lev. xxv. 36.
    Let them not live to taste this land's increase. Shak.
  3. Progeny; issue; offspring.
    All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age. 1 Sam. ii. 33.
  4. Generation. Obs. "Organs of increase." Shak.
  5. (Astron.) The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; -- said of the moon.
    Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon. Bacon.
    Syn. -- Enlargement; extension; growth; development; increment; addition; accession; production.

Webster 1913