# rise

/ˈɹaɪz/ (US) · /ɹˈaɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rise
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to move upwards

verb · CEFR A2

to move from a lower position to a higher one.

For teachers: to move or appear to move physically upwards relative to the ground or a horizon.

- The sun began to rise over the mountains at six in the morning.
- As the temperature in the valley increased, the mist began to rise, slowly revealing the jagged peaks of the surrounding range.

### 2. to stand up

verb · CEFR B1 · Formal

to get up from a sitting or lying position.

For teachers: to move from a sitting, kneeling, or lying position to a standing one.

- Everyone in the room had to rise when the judge entered.
- The chairman requested that the assembly rise for a moment of silence to honour the late founder.

### 3. to increase

verb · CEFR A2

to become greater in amount, number, or level.

For teachers: to increase in value, price, quantity, or intensity.

- Prices for fresh vegetables usually rise during the winter months.
- Global sea levels continue to rise at an accelerating rate, posing a significant threat to low-lying coastal communities.

### 4. an increase

noun · CEFR A2

an increase in the amount or level of something.

For teachers: an instance of becoming greater in quantity, price, or degree.

- There has been a sharp rise in the cost of electricity this year.
- Economists are concerned that a sudden rise in interest rates could stifle the fragile recovery of the housing market.

### 5. a salary increase

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

an increase in the money you earn for your job.

For teachers: an increase in wage or salary.

- She was happy to receive a significant rise after her annual review.
- After three years of stagnant wages, the union successfully negotiated a five per cent rise for all staff members.

Usage: In American English, this is almost always called a 'pay raise'.

### 6. a reaction

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a reaction from someone, usually because you provoked them.

For teachers: a noticeable visible or audible reaction, often one of anger or laughter, elicited by provocation.

- He only made that joke to get a rise out of his brother.
- The politician's controversial remarks were clearly calculated to get a rise out of the opposition during the televised debate.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'to get a rise out of someone'.

### 7. clothing measurement

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the distance from the waist to the crotch on a pair of trousers.

For teachers: the length of material extending from the waistband to the crotch seam in trousers or shorts.

- These jeans have a high rise, so they sit above the hips.
- The tailor suggested a longer rise for the trousers to ensure a more comfortable fit for the client's height.

### 8. step height

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the height of a single step in a staircase.

For teachers: the vertical height of a single step or the total height of a flight of stairs.

- The rise of each step was too high for the elderly residents to climb easily.
- Building regulations specify a maximum rise for individual steps to ensure the safety and accessibility of public stairways.

## Examples

- There has been a sharp rise in gas prices this month.
- The recent rise in global temperatures has led to more frequent and severe weather events across the continent.
- Her rapid rise within the corporate hierarchy was attributed to her exceptional ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics while maintaining high productivity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.