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Added 9 October 2026

increase

/ɪnˈkɹiːs/ noun

In Latin: augescō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about increase at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A quantity that is added.
there was an addition to property taxes this year
A change resulting in an increase.
the increase is scheduled for next month
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important.
the increase in unemployment

verb

Become bigger or greater in amount.
The amount of work increased
Make bigger or more.
The boss finally increased her salary

Origin

From Middle English encresen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman encreistre, from Latin increscere (“to increase”), from in (“in, on”) + crescō (“grow”). The noun is from Middle English encres, from the verb.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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