increase

Increase is the act or result of becoming larger in amount, size, value, or degree. As a noun, it can denote the amount of the rise; as a verb, it means to cause to become larger. A salary increase is a common example.

In mathematics and statistics, an increase is a positive change from an initial value to a higher value. An absolute increase equals the difference between the two values. A relative increase is often expressed as a percentage: (new − old) / old × 100%.

Contexts include economics, demographics, business metrics, and measurements. For instance, a price increase raises the cost to consumers; a population increase means more individuals than before; a productivity increase indicates more output per unit of input.

Etymology: increase derives from Middle English increesen, from Old French increistre, from Latin increscere meaning to grow.

In analysis and policy, increases are analyzed for magnitude, rate, and implications, and are often contrasted with decreases.