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raise

v. · n.
US //ˈɹeɪz// UK //ɹˈeɪz// raise
  1. 1 to lift up (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to move something to a higher position.

    to move something to a higher vertical position; transitive, requiring a direct object.

    Example

    Please raise your hand if you have a question about the homework.

    Example

    The workers used a heavy-duty crane to raise the steel beams to the top floor of the construction site.
    Pitfall
    The sun raises in the east.
    The sun rises in the east.

    Use 'raise' when you lift something else. Use 'rise' when something moves up by itself.

  2. 2 to care for children (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to look after a child or animal until they are fully grown.

    to nurture and support a child or animal through its growth to maturity.

    Example

    She was raised by her grandparents in a small town near the coast.

    Example

    Raising children in a bilingual household requires consistent effort from both parents to ensure fluency in both languages.
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  1. 3 to collect money (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to gather money together for a specific purpose, like a charity.

    to collect or amass funds, especially for a philanthropic or commercial venture.

    Example

    The school held a bake sale to raise money for new library books.

    Example

    The non-profit organisation managed to raise over two million dollars during their annual gala for cancer research.
  2. 4 to mention a topic (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to bring up a subject or a problem so people can talk about it.

    to introduce a subject, issue, or question for consideration or debate.

    Example

    I plan to raise the issue of office heating at the next meeting.

    Example

    The auditor raised several concerns regarding the company's recent acquisition of its smaller competitor.
  3. 5 to increase an amount (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make an amount, level, or price higher.

    to cause an increase in the level, amount, or strength of something.

    Example

    The central bank decided to raise interest rates to control inflation.

    Example

    The sudden surge in demand for electric vehicles has raised expectations for the company's quarterly earnings report.
  4. 6 increase in pay (n.)
    A2 Elementary American English

    an increase in the money you earn from your job.

    an increase in salary or wages.

    Example

    After working there for a year, she finally asked her boss for a raise.

    Example

    The union negotiated a five percent raise for all staff members to offset the rising cost of living.

    Usage

    In British English, 'pay rise' is the standard term.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners should be aware that 'raise' as a noun for salary is primarily American; 'rise' is used in the UK.
    • pay cut
  5. 7 betting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an increase in the amount of a bet in a game like poker.

    an increase in the amount of a previous wager in a gambling context.

    Example

    He made a large raise to scare the other players into folding.

    Example

    The professional player responded with a significant raise, forcing his opponent to reconsider the strength of his own hand.
    • re raise
Etymology 1

From Middle English reysen, raisen, reisen, from Old Norse reisa (“to raise”), from Proto-Germanic raisijaną, raizijaną (“to raise”), causative form of Proto-Germanic rīsaną (“to rise”), from Proto-Indo-European h₁rey- (“to rise, arise”). According to Kroonen (2013), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃er- (“to stir, rise”). Cognate with Old English rāsian (“to explore, examine, research”), Old English rīsan (“to seize, carry off”), Old English rǣran (“to raise”). Doublet of rear.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Old Norse hreysi; the spelling came about under the influence of the folk etymology that derived it from the verb.

Word family
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