B2adverb2K

Increasingly

UK /["/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/"]/US /["/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/"]/

Definition

more and more all the time

In simple words: More and more over time.

Examples

  • Tourism is playing an **increasingly important** role in the region's economy
  • **increasingly difficult/popular**
  • It is becoming increasingly clear that this problem will not be easily solved.
  • It is looking increasingly likely that no agreement will be reached.
  • Doctors are growing increasingly concerned about his condition.
  • Increasingly, training is taking place in the office rather than outside it.

Usage notes

Use 'increasingly' to describe something that is becoming more frequent or intense. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid it in very casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

increasingly + adjective/adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'increase' and imagine things getting taller and taller.

Collocations

  • increasingly popular
  • increasingly available
  • increasingly difficult

Synonyms

  • progressively
  • eventually
  • growing
  • steadily
  • more and more

Antonyms

  • decreasingly

Common mistakes

  • Using 'increased' instead of 'increasingly' (they are different forms)
  • Placing 'increasingly' in incorrect positions within sentences
  • Confusing 'increasingly' with 'more increasingly' (the latter is incorrect)