raise
/reɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /reɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrāz/ (ame, mw)
raise — verb
- raisepresent simple I / you / we / they
- raiseshe / she / it
- raisedpast simple
- raising-ing form
1. to move something upward from where it was resting, using physical effort such a
to move something upward from where it was resting, using physical effort such as the muscles in your arms or back.
Owen raised the heavy box onto the top shelf in the storeroom.
raise + object + onto [location]
The nurse gently raised the patient's head so he could drink some water.
raise + body part
Jiwoo raised her hand to ask the teacher a question about the homework.
Asher raised the window to let some fresh air into the hot kitchen.
- lower
to move something down to a lower position
文法句型
raise + object
raise + object + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
This sense always takes a direct object — the thing that is moved upward. For the intransitive equivalent (moving upward by itself), use 'rise'. Compare: 'She raised the blind' vs. 'The sun rises in the east.'
常見錯誤
2. to make an amount, level, price, or standard go up to a higher number or degree.
to make an amount, level, price, or standard go up to a higher number or degree.
The landlord raised the rent by three hundred dollars without warning.
raise + amount + by + number
Heloísa's boss raised her salary after she completed the biggest project of the year.
Rohan raised his voice so the people at the back of the hall could hear him speak.
The government raised the speed limit on the highway from 100 to 120 kilometres per hour.
文法句型
raise + object
raise + object + by + amount
raise + object + to + amount
常見錯誤
3. to get something started, bring it together, or bring it to people's notice — fo
to get something started, bring it together, or bring it to people's notice — for instance, collecting money for a cause, mentioning a topic to discuss, or creating a feeling among a group.
The neighbourhood raised enough money to build a wheelchair ramp at the library entrance.
raise + money + for + purpose
Adaeze raised the issue of unpaid overtime at the weekly team meeting.
raise + an issue/question/concern
The documentary about climate change raised serious questions about the future of coastal cities.
Zayd's sudden resignation raised suspicions among his colleagues in the finance department.
文法句型
raise + object + for + purpose
raise + question/issue/concern + about + topic
raise + money/funds + for + cause
用法筆記
This is the broadest sense of 'raise'. The object determines which sub-meaning is activated: 'raise money/funds' = collect; 'raise a question/issue' = mention for discussion; 'raise suspicion/doubt/concern' = cause to exist; 'raise a building/monument' = build or construct. The common thread is bringing something into being or attention.
常見錯誤
4. to look after a child or baby animal from birth until adulthood, or to grow plan
to look after a child or baby animal from birth until adulthood, or to grow plants and keep farm livestock for your own use or to sell.
Kasia was raised by her grandmother in a small fishing village on the coast.
passive: be raised + by + person
Alessia raises chickens in her backyard and sells the eggs at the local market.
The couple raised three children while both working full-time jobs at the hospital.
Sari raised her daughter to treat everyone with kindness and respect regardless of their background.
- bring up
equivalent to 'raise children'; more common in British English; cannot be used for animals or crops
- rear
slightly more formal; common for animals but less common for children in everyday speech
- cultivate
used for plants and crops; more technical and formal
- breed
used specifically for animals, often for commercial purposes
文法句型
raise + child/animal/crop
be raised + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
For children, 'raise' and 'bring up' are often interchangeable in American English, though 'bring up' can sound slightly more informal. In British English, 'bring up' is more common than 'raise' for caring for children. For animals and crops, 'raise' is standard in all varieties.
常見錯誤
5. when playing betting games like poker, to wager a larger sum than the person who
when playing betting games like poker, to wager a larger sum than the person who bet just before you, so the total money in the middle grows.
Zayd checked his cards and decided to raise by twenty dollars on the poker table.
raise + by + amount
Christopher raised his opponent's bet even though he had a weak hand in the game.
raise + opponent's + bet
With three aces in his hand, Owen confidently raised the stakes at the poker table.
Diya waited for her turn and announced 'I raise' while pushing chips into the centre of the table.
- up the bet
informal way of saying 'raise' in casual card games
- increase the stakes
can be used literally in card games or figuratively in any competitive situation
文法句型
raise + amount
raise + opponent
intransitive: 'I raise.'
用法筆記
In card games, 'raise' can be used intransitively ('I raise.') or transitively ('I raise you twenty dollars.'). The noun form 'a raise' also exists in this context, meaning an increase in the bet.
6. to officially end a restriction, prohibition, or military blockade, allowing nor
to officially end a restriction, prohibition, or military blockade, allowing normal activity to resume.
The government raised the ban on international travel after two years of restrictions.
raise + a ban
The army finally raised the siege of the city after three months of intense negotiations.
raise + a siege
The trade embargo was raised following a new agreement between the two neighbouring countries.
With infection rates dropping, the city council voted to raise the curfew that had been in place for six months.
文法句型
raise + a ban/siege/blockade/embargo
用法筆記
This sense is limited to formal, political, or military contexts. It is the opposite of 'impose' (a ban/siege/embargo). The object must be something that was formally in place and is now being lifted.
7. to get in touch with a person or station using radio, telephone, or a similar de
to get in touch with a person or station using radio, telephone, or a similar device — often after several failed attempts to make a connection.
The ship's captain raised the coast guard on the emergency radio channel.
raise + person/organisation + on + radio
The pilot raised the control tower to request permission for an emergency landing.
After ten minutes of static, Rohan finally raised the base camp on his satellite phone.
The rescue team tried to raise the hikers on the radio but got no response.
- contact
more general and common; works in any communication context
- reach
informal, can mean contacting someone by any means
- get through to
phrasal verb; emphasizes the difficulty of establishing contact
文法句型
raise + person/station + on + radio/phone
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in professional contexts where establishing contact is not guaranteed — such as ships, aircraft, or remote expeditions. For everyday phone calls, use 'call' or 'reach' instead.
8. to bring a dead person back to life, especially through divine power or supernat
to bring a dead person back to life, especially through divine power or supernatural means in religious or mythological stories.
According to the ancient story, the priestess could raise the dead with a single touch.
raise the dead
In the old myth, the goddess Isis raised Osiris from the dead after his brother had killed him.
raise + person + from the dead
In the legend, the holy man was raised from the dead on the third day after his burial.
The novel tells the story of a scientist who claims he can raise people from the dead using a machine.
- resurrect
more common in modern English; can be used literally (religious) or figuratively (reviving an idea or practice)
- bring back to life
longer but clearer; works in both literal and figurative contexts
文法句型
raise + person + from + the dead
用法筆記
In modern non-religious use, this sense is extremely rare outside of fantasy literature and mythology. The more common word for bringing back from the dead in general English is 'resurrect'. 'Raise from the dead' is set-phrase with biblical origins.
raise — noun
- raisesingular
- raisesplural
1. extra money that your employer adds to your wages or salary, usually because you
extra money that your employer adds to your wages or salary, usually because you have done good work or because the cost of living has gone up.
Adaeze asked her manager for a raise after working overtime for six months without extra pay.
ask for a raise
The company gave all employees a five percent raise at the start of the new financial year.
give + someone + a raise
Jiwoo received a raise for completing the project two weeks ahead of the original deadline.
Workers at the factory are demanding a raise to match the rising cost of living in the city.
- pay rise
equivalent in British English
- pay increase
more formal, used in official contexts
- salary increment
formal, used in written employment policies
- pay cut
a reduction in salary
文法句型
get a raise
ask for a raise
give someone a raise
用法筆記
In American English, 'raise' is the standard noun for a salary increase. In British English, the equivalent noun is 'rise' (e.g. 'a pay rise'). Taiwanese learners studying American English should use 'raise'; those following British English should use 'rise'.