WordGarden.iorise
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈaɪz/
US
- /ˈraɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to move upward or stand up from a lower position
to increase in amount, level, price, or degree
to gain power, success, status, or importance
More meaningsFewer meanings
to rebel or take collective action against authority
Noun
an increase in amount, level, price, or degree
growth in power, success, status, or public importance
an upward movement or an upward slope in land
Beyond the definition
"Rise" isn't just about the sun coming up in the morning. It's a useful word for something going higher, increasing in amount, or simply standing up. A loaf of bread rises as it bakes, meaning it gets bigger. The river rose after days of rain and spread over its banks. And when you rise to meet a challenge, you accept it and do your best to deal with it. Think of a hot air balloon as it rises into the sky.
The word can also be used in a figurative way. A politician might rise through the ranks, meaning they gain power and influence over time. Someone's spirits might rise when they hear good news. At its core, the word is about upward movement or an increase in something.
"Rise" is a surprisingly multifaceted word with meanings ranging from physical elevation to abstract growth. At its most basic, "rise" means to get up from a lying, sitting, or kneeling position – "She rose from her chair and greeted the guests." It also describes the act of ascending or going upwards: "The hot air balloon began to rise slowly into the sky."
But "rise" isn't limited to physical movement. It can describe an increase in quantity, level, or intensity. For example, "Temperatures are expected to rise tomorrow," or "The cost of living continues to rise." We also use it to talk about things becoming more prominent or powerful: "He rose through the ranks of the company to become CEO."
Figuratively, "rise" can mean to respond to a challenge. To rise to the occasion means to meet a difficult situation with courage and determination. You might say someone "rose above" adversity, meaning they overcame it.
Historically, "rise" is linked to the Old English word rīsan, meaning to ascend or become erect. It's a word deeply embedded in our language, appearing in phrases like "early riser," "the rise and fall of empires," and even as part of names – think of "Sunrise."
So whether it's the sun, bread dough, a career trajectory, or your own determination, "rise" speaks to upward movement, growth, and overcoming obstacles.
Examples
- 1
Daylight
The sun rises earlier in summer.
- 2
Standing up
She rose from her chair to greet us.
- 3
Upward movement
Steam was rising from the soup.
- 4
Prices
Prices have risen again this month.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Water level
The river rose to its highest level in years.
- Patternrise to + level
reach that level
- 6
Amount increase
Our costs rose by about 10 percent last year.
- Patternrise by + amount
increase by that amount
- 7
Voice pitch
Her voice rose when she heard the crash.
- 8
Career progress
He rose through the ranks and became a director before he was forty.
- Phraserise through the ranks
move to higher positions
- 9
Trend
Online scams are on the rise.
- Phraseon the rise
becoming more common
- 10
Challenge
She rose to the challenge and finished the project on time.
- Phraserise to the challenge
deal well with a difficult situation
See also
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- risenounverb
Forms
- rosepast tenseverbnoun
- rising-ing formverbnoun
- risespluralnounverb
- risenpast participleverbnoun