What does raised mean?
Raised is the past tense and past participle of raise and also a common adjective describing something brought to a higher position, amount, or level. A raised hand asks for attention; a raised voice is louder, often emotional; and raised prices or standards indicate an increase. The word can also mean brought up or reared, as in a child raised abroad, or stirred into existence, as in concerns or hopes being raised. In formal discussion, “raised” frequently introduces a topic: a committee raised an objection or an article raised questions. As the past participle of raise, it may appear before a noun, as in “the newly raised funds” or “a raised platform,” or stand alone with an understood object, as in “the fund was raised.” The forms work similarly in British and American English. Its range makes it useful in both everyday speech and precise formal writing.
Having been moved upward, made higher or greater, brought up or reared, or stirred into attention or emotion.
"He gave a raised eyebrow at the suggestion."
The participial adjective usually emphasizes the resulting state, although before a noun it may also describe the process or manner of raising something.
Raised is the past tense and past participle of raise, meaning lifted, increased, brought up, stirred, promoted, or introduced for discussion.
"The committee raised the issue during its meeting."
Raised may stand alone as a participle with an understood object, especially in formal or financial contexts.
Raised has an earthy ancestry: Latin radere meant "to scrape," the same root found in erase and razor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does raised come from?
Raised is the past tense and past participle of raise. The word entered Middle English through Old French raisier, ultimately from Medieval Latin radiare, which is generally traced to Latin radere, meaning "to scrape." That root also underlies cognates such as raze, erase, razor, and razee.
Related word forms
How raised is actually used
Raised is used similarly in British and American English. As a participial adjective, it commonly describes the result of an action; when it precedes a noun, it can also describe a person who has been brought up in a particular way. Its use for introducing a topic is common and neutral in formal writing, while a raised voice can suggest anger or intense emotion.
Easily confused with raised
Razed means completely destroyed, whereas raised means lifted, increased, brought up, or introduced for discussion.