increase

Definition

noun

an act of becoming larger
ExamplesThere have been several increases in tax or tax increases in the last few years. • There is an automatic 5 per cent increase in price or price increase on January 1st. • Profits showed a 10 per cent increase or an increase of 10 per cent on last year.
Usage
increase in the cost of living
a rise in the annual cost of living
a higher salary
Examplesincrease in pay or pay increase • The government hopes to hold salary increases to 3 per cent.
Usage
she had two increases last year
her salary went up twice

verb

to grow bigger or higher
ExamplesProfits have increased faster than the increase in the rate of inflation. • Exports to Africa have increased by more than 25 per cent. • The price of oil has increased twice in the past week.
Usage
to increase in price
to cost more
Usage
to increase in size or value
to become larger or more valuable
to make something bigger or higher
Usage
the company increased her salary to £50,000
the company gave her a rise in salary to £50,000

"...turnover has the potential to be increased to over 1 million dollars with energetic management and very little capital" [Australian Financial Review]

"...competition is steadily increasing and could affect profit margins as the company tries to retain its market share" [Citizen (Ottawa)]

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