Words / A2

in-KREES/ɪnˈkriːs/

To increase is to become larger, or to make something larger: increase prices, increase by 10%, an increase in traffic. Decrease and reduce are the opposites (reduce often needs an object). Rise is close when things go up by themselves. Stress the second syllable as a verb: inCREASE. Do not say “increase up” — increase already means go up.

Meaning

To become larger in number or amount, or to make something larger.

Examples

• “They want to increase the number of buses.”
• “The school increased the number of evening classes.”
• “There has been an increase in online shopping.”

Good to know

increase + noun. increase by + amount / increase in + noun. Not “increase up.”

Near in meaning

rise

New