Word
increment
Phoneticsin·cre·ment, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnkɹəmənt/
UK/ˈɪnkɹɪmənt/
Definition
n. a small amount that you add to something to make it larger or better. It is often used when talking about money, time, or numbers.
n. a small addition to a quantity, amount, or degree. Often used in technical or financial contexts to describe a specific unit of change.
Examples
“The company gives a small increment to employees every year.”
“The software update includes a significant increment in processing speed, allowing the system to handle more data at once.”
“The researcher noted a steady increment in the subject's blood pressure over the course of the experiment, suggesting a physiological response to the new medication.”
Examples
simple
“The company gives a small increment to employees every year.”
contextual
“The software update includes a significant increment in processing speed, allowing the system to handle more data at once.”
complex
“The researcher noted a steady increment in the subject's blood pressure over the course of the experiment, suggesting a physiological response to the new medication.”
Real-World Examples
“Turning, however, needed to be done in 90-degree increments, which created some potentially confusing graphics as entire scenes abruptly appeared.” “Since 1964, the Up series has followed the lives of several perfectly normal people across the social spectrum at increments of seven years.” Etymology
From Middle English encrement, increment, from Latin incrēmentum, from incrēscō (whence increase), from in- + crēscō (“grow”). Equivalent to increase + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/increment