2 syllables: In, crease. Stress on crease.
in-KREES
/ˌɪnˈkɹis/
Increase is pronounced in-KREES (/ˌɪnˈkɹis/). It has two syllables (In-crease), with the stress on "crease". Increase (noun) refers to a rise or growth in amount, size, or degree. It denotes augmentation or proliferation within a set or over time, often measured in units or percent. In usage, it contrasts with decrease, implying upward movement or escalation in context such as prices, numbers, or intensity.
nounIncrease (noun) refers to a rise or growth in amount, size, or degree. It denotes augmentation or proliferation within a set or over time, often measured in units or percent. In usage, it contrasts with decrease, implying upward movement or escalation in context such as prices, numbers, or intensity.
"There was a noticeable increase in demand after the launch."
"The company announced an annual increase in salaries."
"A gradual increase in temperatures accompanied the seasonal change."
/ˈɪn.kriːs/ in US/UK/AU. The primary stress is on the first syllable: IN-krease (phonemic /ˈɪn.kriːs/). Start with a short, crisp initial /ɪ/ as in 'kit', then an unstressed 'n' linking to a long, tense /kriː/ vowel cluster; end with a voiceless /s/. Mouth: lips relaxed, tongue close to the alveolar ridge for /n/ and /t/? Wait: for /kriːs/ the /kr/ cluster uses a back-to-front handoff: /k/ with back tongue, followed by /r/ with slight bunched tongue, then /iː/ as a long front vowel. Audio reference: listen to native speakers’ pronunciation on Pronounce or Cambridge audio.
Two common errors: (1) Overemphasizing the first syllable and making /ɪn/ overly long, which bleeds into the /kriːs/; (2) Mispronouncing the second syllable as /ɪs/ rather than /kriːs/, producing an /ɪs/ ending instead of /iːs/. Correct by clipping the initial /ɪ/ and ensuring a clear /kriːs/ sequence with a long /iː/ vowel and final /s/. Practice with minimal pairs: in-crease vs inn-crease (rare), and contrast with 'increase' as a noun vs a verb meaning in context via sentence stress. IPA cues: keep /ˈɪn.kriːs/ with long /iː/ and crisp final /s/.
All three accents share /ˈɪn.kriːs/ rhythm, but vowel quality and r-fulness differ slightly. US and AU are rhotic; /r/ may influence surrounding vowels marginally in connected speech. UK often features a non-rhotic realization, with a marginally shorter /iː/ and crisper consonants, though in careful speech the /r/ sound is not pronounced. In fast speech, US speakers may reduce the middle /kriː/ with a more fused /kr/ sequence. Listen to regional variants via YouGlish for specific speaker examples.
Difficulties stem from the consonant cluster /n.kr/ sequence, and the long tense /iː/ vowel in the second syllable. The transition from a nasal /n/ to a velar /k/ then the alveolar /r/ requires precise tongue movement and timing to avoid slipping into /n/ + /kr/ + /æs/ or misplacing the /iː/. Also, the final /s/ must be crisp to avoid a voiced leakage from the preceding vowel. Slow practice with bite-sized mouth positions helps. IPA cues: /ˈɪn.kriːs/ with careful /n/ to /k/ to /r/ transitions.
Yes. When used in phrase-final position (e.g., ‘an increase in demand’), speakers often place stronger boundary stress on the noun, which can slightly lengthen the first syllable of the second word and raise intonation contours. This can cause a perceived shift in the nucleus of the /kriːs/ segment, especially in rapid speech. Focus on maintaining the stable /ˈɪn.kriːs/ core when isolated, then adjust prosody to reflect syntactic emphasis in connected speech.
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- US: rhotic tendencies can color the /ɪ/ and /riː/ slightly; keep /r/ soft or hidden in rapid speech. - UK: non-rhotic; ensure the /r/ is not pronounced; length of /iː/ remains. - AU: similar to US but with flatter vowels; keep a clear /iː/ and crisp /s/. Use IPA: /ˈɪn.kriːs/. Practice by slowing, then accelerating while maintaining a stable nucleus in /kriːs/.
Increase comes from the Middle English increessen, which derives from Old French increis(s)e, itself from the Latin increare, formed from in- ‘in, into’ + crescere ‘to grow.’ The word originally carried the sense of make greater or multiply. By the 15th century, increase appeared in English with the noun usage denoting growth or ascent, and later broadened to mean augmentation in various domains such as economics, statistics, and everyday usage. Across centuries, the pronunciation gradually settled into the modern form with stress typically on the second syllable in many registers when used as a noun (IN-crease or in-CREASE depending on syntactic position in phrase), while still retaining flexibility in stress in various varieties of English. First known written uses surface in Middle English texts related to accounting and population growth, reflecting its practical emphasis on quantity and magnitude. Modern usage retains its economic and qualitative senses, often paired with verbs that denote growth, escalation, or progression.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Increase" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Increase" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Increase"
-ase sounds
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