What does raise mean?
The verb raise describes moving something upward, increasing a quantity or level, or bringing a matter before others for attention. It can apply to physical objects, such as a flag, as well as to abstract matters, such as prices, standards, questions, or concerns. Raising money, awareness, or a family are also common uses. In its emotional sense, raise can mean to provoke or intensify a feeling, as in 'raise the alarm' or 'raise hopes.' The related noun raise refers to an increase, such as a raise in pay, as well as an act of lifting something. Although raise and rise are often confused, raise normally takes an object, while rise describes something moving upward or increasing on its own. The word is highly versatile in everyday, professional, and formal English.
To move something upward, increase its level or intensity, bring a matter to attention, obtain money or support, or cause a response or emotion.
"The campaign aims to raise awareness of food insecurity."
Raise is transitive in its most common uses; when it means to increase or become more intense, it is also used intransitively, especially in the phrase 'raise prices.'
An increase in amount, level, or rate, especially an increase in wages or pay.
"The workers received a raise after the negotiation."
The noun is especially common in American English; British English more often uses 'pay rise' or 'increase.'
The plural is used for separate increases or instances of an increase, as well as for physical objects or actions designed to lift something.
"The company announced two raises in prices for the second quarter."
From the act of lifting something upward, the word grew to mean anything from increasing prices to stirring emotions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does raise come from?
Raise comes through Middle English from Old French raisier, a verb meaning to lift or erect. The French word was borrowed from Vulgar Latin *radiare, associated with Latin radere, 'to scrape' or 'to erase,' in an earlier sense of raising or causing to rise. The modern English verb developed its broad range of meanings, including 'to increase' and 'to bring forward for discussion,' during the medieval and early modern periods. Its relatives include arouse, from the same broad family of Romance and Latin roots, and rear in senses connected with raising or bringing up.
Related word forms
How raise is actually used
Raise is used across formal and informal contexts in British and American English. It can sound forceful or confrontational when used with concerns, objections, or issues, as in 'raise objections,' though this is standard usage.
Easily confused with raise
Raise is generally transitive, meaning to lift something or increase something, while rise usually means to move upward or increase intransitively.
Raise means to lift or increase, whereas rear means to care for or bring up a child, animal, or object, or to support something upright.