increase

Definitions

1. verb

   To become bigger or greater.

   Examples

   • His anger only increased when I told him about the lost money.
   • The water in the river increased.
2. verb

   To make something bigger or greater.

   Examples

   • Drivers like the idea of increasing traffic flow.
   • The company plans to increase its workforce next year.
   ≈increment
3. verb

   To have more young, as animals do.

   Examples

   • Rabbits increase quickly under good conditions.
   • Fish increase faster than other animals.
   ≈proliferate≈propagate≈teem
4. verb

   To show more of the lit part, as the moon.

   Examples

   • The moon increases each night.
   • The moon will increase steadily over the next week.
   ≈wax
5. noun

   The amount by which something goes up.

   Examples

   • There was an increase of about 30 percent in visits to the website.
   • She says more melting from climate change may be a risk.
   ≈gain
6. noun

   The process of getting bigger.

   Examples

   • Scientists saw a steady increase in the population.
   • The company reported a sharp increase in profits.
   ≈enlargement
7. noun

   Children or young, in old-fashioned use.

   Examples

   • The old blessing wished them health and increase.
   • May your fields and your increase both do well.
8. noun

   In knitting, adding a new stitch.

   Examples

   • Work an increase at the start of every third row.
   • She added an increase on each side to shape the sleeve.