rise
rise — verb
- risepresent simple I / you / we / they
- riseshe / she / it
- rosepast simple
- risenpast participle
- rising-ing form
1. to move up to a higher position or level, especially through air or water
to move up to a higher position or level, especially through air or water
Apinya watched the hot air balloon rise slowly above the trees.
rise + adverb: rise slowly / rise steeply
The sun rises at six o'clock in the morning now that summer is here.
sun / moon + rise — celestial usage
Bubbles rose to the surface of the water when Kabir dropped the stone.
rise to the surface — movement of bubbles or smoke
Steam rose from the cup of hot tea on the kitchen table.
Noor watched a flock of pigeons rise from the church tower into the grey sky.
rise from [a place] — physical ascent through air
- rise slowly
- rise steeply
- rise to the surface
- rise from [sth]
- sun rises
- smoke rises
Grammar Patterns
rise + adverb/preposition phrase
Usage Note
Intransitive only — you cannot 'rise something' (no direct object). For lifting objects, use 'raise'.
Common Mistakes
2. to move your body from a sitting, lying, or kneeling position to a standing one
to move your body from a sitting, lying, or kneeling position to a standing one
Gabriel rose from his chair when the principal entered the room.
rise from [seat] — moving from a seated position
The old man tried to rise, but his knees were too weak.
Lukas rose to his feet and shook hands with the new neighbour.
rise to one's feet — standard fixed phrase
Reuben rose from kneeling to take a closer look at the insect on the leaf.
- rise from a chair
- rise to one's feet
- rise from kneeling
Grammar Patterns
rise from [position]
rise to one's feet
Usage Note
More formal than 'stand up' or 'get up'. Common in written narratives and formal ceremonies.
Common Mistakes
3. to leave your bed after sleeping, typically in the morning to start the day
to leave your bed after sleeping, typically in the morning to start the day
Jisoo rises at dawn every day to go jogging before work.
rise at [time] — waking pattern
On weekends, the children rise much later than on school days.
Élise rose early to prepare breakfast before the guests arrived.
rise early — morning routine
Caio rose at five o'clock to catch the first train to the city.
- rise at dawn
- rise early
- rise late
Grammar Patterns
rise at [time]
rise early / late
Usage Note
More formal than 'get up'. Often used in written descriptions of daily routines.
4. if a river or stream rises somewhere, that is the place from which it first emer
if a river or stream rises somewhere, that is the place from which it first emerges from underground
The Danube River rises in the Black Forest of Germany.
[River name] rises in [location] — river source pattern
This small stream rises from a spring high up in the mountains.
The Chao Phraya River rises in the northern highlands of Thailand.
The River Thames rises in the Cotswold Hills in south-west England.
- river rises
- stream rises
- rise in the mountains
- rise from a spring
- flow into
where a river ends, rather than begins
- empty into
where a river reaches the sea or a lake
Grammar Patterns
[River] rises in [place]
[River] rises from [source]
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively for rivers, streams, and sources of water. Not used for roads or paths — use 'starts' or 'begins' instead.
Common Mistakes
5. to become larger in number, amount, value, or level
to become larger in number, amount, value, or level
The temperature in Tokyo rose to thirty-eight degrees last summer.
rise to [number] — reaching a specific level
Housing prices in the city have risen sharply over the past five years.
rise sharply — intensifier pattern
The number of students at the school rose from two hundred to four hundred.
When demand for a product rises, the price usually goes up too.
demand rises — economic usage
The wind rose suddenly, and the boat began to rock on the waves.
wind rises — weather pattern
- prices rise
- temperature rises
- demand rises
- rise sharply
- rise steadily
- rise by [amount]
Grammar Patterns
rise by [amount]
rise to [amount]
rise + adverb
Usage Note
The opposite of 'rise' in this sense (for amounts and prices) is usually 'fall' or 'drop'. Do not confuse with 'raise', which needs an object (someone raises prices, but prices rise).
Common Mistakes
6. if a feeling or sound rises, it starts to grow stronger, louder, or more intense
if a feeling or sound rises, it starts to grow stronger, louder, or more intense
Anger rose inside Obi as he listened to the unfair accusation.
feeling rises inside [sb] — emotional surge pattern
The sound of the crowd rose when the winning goal was scored.
sound of [sth] rises — increased volume pattern
A feeling of panic rose in Stephanie's chest as the elevator stopped.
The children's laughter rose above the noise of the party.
rise above [noise] — surpassing other sounds
- anger rises
- panic rises
- sound rises
- laughter rises
- rise inside
- rise above
Grammar Patterns
feeling + rise inside [sb]
sound + rise
rise above [noise]
Usage Note
Common with abstract subjects: anger, panic, fear, excitement, hope. For sounds, often describes voices, laughter, or crowd noise becoming louder or more intense.
Common Mistakes
7. to move from a lower position to a higher or more important one in your job, soc
to move from a lower position to a higher or more important one in your job, society, or an organization
Nila rose from an entry-level job to become marketing director in six years.
rise from + noun + to + noun — career progress
The young scientist rose to fame after discovering a new way to clean ocean water.
Hoa rose through the ranks of the military and eventually became a general.
rise through the ranks — gradual promotion within a system
Sumin rose from a poor farming village to run a successful chain of restaurants.
Beatriz knew hard work alone would not help her rise to the company's top.
rise to the top — reaching the highest position
- rise from poverty
- rise to power
- rise to fame
- rise through the ranks
- rise to the top
- fall
To move to a lower position or rank
Grammar Patterns
rise + from + noun + to + noun
rise + through + the ranks
Usage Note
Commonly paired with 'from' (starting point) and 'to' (destination), as in 'rise from assistant to manager'. Also used with 'through the ranks' to describe step-by-step promotion within an organisation.
Common Mistakes
8. to be tall enough to be seen clearly above surrounding objects; or (of land) to
to be tall enough to be seen clearly above surrounding objects; or (of land) to go upward in a slope
The old cathedral rises above the small houses of the old town.
rise above [something] — visible above surroundings
Behind the farm, the land rises steeply toward the mountain range.
A tall glass building rose from the centre of the rebuilt square.
rise from [a place] — emerge as a structure
From the valley the hills rise gently in long green waves of tea plants.
The road rises steeply as you leave the village and enter the forest.
rise steeply — terrain and slope
- rise above
- rise behind
- rise steeply
- rise gently
- rise from the ground
- sink
To move downward or become lower
Grammar Patterns
rise + above / from / behind / up
rise + adverb of direction
Usage Note
Often used with a preposition of place (above, behind, from) to describe the relationship between the tall object and its surroundings. When describing land, 'rise' is commonly paired with 'steeply', 'gently', or 'sharply'.
Common Mistakes
9. if dough (= flour and water mixed together for bread) rises, it grows bigger and
if dough (= flour and water mixed together for bread) rises, it grows bigger and softer as yeast creates gas bubbles that make the mixture expand
Amelia left the dough in a warm bowl to rise for one hour before baking.
let dough rise — common cooking instruction
If the yeast is old, the bread will not rise however long you wait.
Tamar covered the dough and watched it double in size as it rose.
double in size as it rose — describing the visual change
Madison checked whether the dough had risen to the top of the bread tin yet.
- let the dough rise
- bread rises
- dough has risen
- leave to rise
- rise in a warm place
Grammar Patterns
rise (no object)
let + the dough + rise
Usage Note
Only used about bread, cakes, or the dough they are made from. Not used for other foods that puff up (use 'expand' or 'puff up' instead). The verb is intransitive in this sense: you cannot 'rise the dough' — you 'let the dough rise'.
Common Mistakes
10. when people rise up, they start using violence to oppose a ruler or government t
when people rise up, they start using violence to oppose a ruler or government they consider unfair
The people rose against the dictator after years of unfair treatment in the city.
rise against [a ruler] — armed opposition to authority
Indra joined the rebels when they finally rose up to fight for their freedom.
rise up — phrasal variant for rebellion
Tunde wrote about how ordinary citizens rose against the colonial government in 1960.
Anya read how the farmers rose against the landlords who had taken their land.
rise against — opposing those who have power over you
- rise against
- rise up
- rise in rebellion
- rise in revolt
Grammar Patterns
rise + against + noun phrase
rise + up
Usage Note
Almost always used with 'against' or 'up'. The subject is typically a large group of people, not an individual. For a single person resisting authority, use 'rebel' or 'revolt' instead.
Common Mistakes
11. if a parliament, court, or similar official body ends a meeting and suspends its
if a parliament, court, or similar official body ends a meeting and suspends its activities for a period, such as at the close of a session or for a holiday
The court will rise for the summer break at the end of next week.
formal register; court/parliament context
Parliament rose on Friday and will not meet again until October this year.
The judge announced that the court would rise for lunch and resume at two o'clock.
court rises — specific legal procedure phrasing
Parliament will rise for the Christmas holiday next week as MPs finish final bills.
- parliament rises
- court rises
- the House rises
Grammar Patterns
rise (no object)
Usage Note
Primarily British English. In American English, 'adjourn' is the standard term. 'Rise' in this sense is only used for official bodies (courts, parliament, committees) — not for business meetings or casual group gatherings.
Common Mistakes
rise up
phrasal verbto move upward from a lower position
A flock of birds rose up from the field when they heard the noise.
rise above
phrasal verbTo not let a problem or bad situation affect you.
She managed to rise above the gossip and focus on her work.
The team rose above their differences to win the championship.
rise to
phrasal verbTo show that you can deal with a difficult situation or challenge.
He rose to the challenge and completed the project on time.
When the crisis came, the leader rose to the occasion.
rise and shine
idiomused to tell someone to get out of bed and start the day, especially in a cheerful way
"Rise and shine!" her father called through the door. "Breakfast is ready."
rise to the occasion
idiomto show that you can deal with a difficult situation successfully, especially by performing better than usual
Despite the pressure of the final match, the young player rose to the occasion and played brilliantly.
To stand very straight and tall to show you are confident or serious.
When the bully approached, Mia drew herself up to her full height.
The coach rose to his full height and stared at the team.
To feel extremely angry or disgusted about something.
When he heard the lie, his gorge rose and he left the room.
Seeing the unfair treatment made her gorge rise instantly.
To become very angry.
Her hackles rose when she saw the mess in the kitchen.
The rude comment made his hackles rise immediately.
rise — noun
- risesingular
- risesplural
1. an increase in the amount, price, or value of something, especially one that is
an increase in the amount, price, or value of something, especially one that is measured or reported
A sudden rise in the price of rice followed the flood that damaged the crops.
rise in + [something]
The company announced a 3% rise in wages for all its factory workers.
rise in wages / prices / salaries
Taxi drivers are unhappy about the latest rise in fuel costs.
Families on low incomes feel every rise in the cost of living.
- rise in prices
- rise in wages
- rise in temperature
- rise in unemployment
- sharp rise
- sudden rise
- price rise
- pay rise
- increase
more general; rise is slightly more informal and commonly used for prices, costs, wages
- growth
implies steady, often positive expansion over time, not a sudden change
- hike
informal; suggests a large or unwelcome increase, especially in prices
- surge
a sudden, strong increase, often larger and faster than a typical rise
Grammar Patterns
rise in + [noun]
Usage Note
Frequently paired with a prepositional phrase starting with 'in' that specifies what is increasing (e.g. rise in prices, rise in temperature).
Common Mistakes
2. the process by which something becomes larger in scale, influence, or presence o
the process by which something becomes larger in scale, influence, or presence over a period of time
The rise of the internet changed how people shop, learn, and communicate.
the rise of + [phenomenon]
Reuben wrote his university essay on the rise of the gig economy in Europe.
Many historians have studied the rise of modern democracy in the nineteenth century.
The rise in global temperatures has led to more frequent heat waves.
rise in global temperatures
- rise of the internet
- rise of democracy
- rise of social media
- rise in global temperatures
- steady rise
- decline
a process of becoming smaller, weaker, or less important
Grammar Patterns
the rise of + [phenomenon/system]
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 emphasises the ongoing process or development of a trend, while sense 1 refers to a specific measurable increase in a figure.
3. the way a person, group, or industry moves from a lower position to a state of s
the way a person, group, or industry moves from a lower position to a state of success, fame, or power
The documentary tells the story of the singer's rapid rise to fame.
rise to fame
Napoleon's rise to power began during the chaos of the French Revolution.
rise to power
Heloísa watched the young chef's rise from street vendor to award-winning restaurateur.
The rise of the technology sector has turned the city into a hub for start-ups.
rise of + [industry/sector]
- rise to fame
- rise to power
- rise to prominence
- rise to stardom
- rapid rise
- meteoric rise
- ascent
more formal; can also describe climbing a career ladder
- climb
suggests effort and struggle on the way up
- advancement
focuses on progress within a career or hierarchy
Grammar Patterns
rise to + [fame/power/prominence]
Usage Note
Commonly followed by 'to' + abstract noun (fame, power, prominence, stardom). The subject is usually a person, group, or organisation.
Common Mistakes
4. a small area of higher ground; a gentle hill or upward slope in the land
a small area of higher ground; a gentle hill or upward slope in the land
The old farmhouse sits on a gentle rise surrounded by green wheat fields.
gentle rise
From the rise in the road you can see the entire valley below.
Élise and Tanvi climbed the rise to get a better view of the sunset.
The path follows a series of gentle rises and dips through the forest.
rises and dips
- gentle rise
- grassy rise
- rise in the road
- rise and dip
Usage Note
Often used in geographical descriptions. Typically refers to a mild elevation, not a steep or rocky hill.
5. an upward movement from a lower position to a higher one; the act of going up
an upward movement from a lower position to a higher one; the act of going up
The sudden rise of the hot air balloon made the children gasp with delight.
Scientists monitor the rise and fall of sea levels along the coast.
rise and fall
From the porch, we watched the slow rise of the moon above the mountains.
rise of the moon / sun
Aylin felt a slight rise in her chest as she breathed deeply after the run.
- rise and fall
- rise of the sun
- rise of the moon
- balloon rise
- sudden rise
Grammar Patterns
rise of + [something] (upward motion)
Usage Note
Often used in the set phrase 'rise and fall' to describe cyclical upward and downward movement. When describing celestial bodies (sun, moon), 'rise' is the standard noun.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/5
Rise, increase, go up, and climb all describe something becoming higher in number, amount, or level, but they differ in formality, connotation, and typical context. Rise is intransitive and neutral — it simply describes the change itself ('prices rose sharply'). Increase can be either transitive or intransitive and is the most neutral choice in formal writing ('the population increased by 10%'). Go up is the informal everyday equivalent, common in casual speech and news headlines ('taxes are going up again'). Climb suggests a steady, step-by-step process that often requires effort or time ('the stock price climbed from $10 to $15 over several months'). Use rise for general statements about change; increase in reports and academic writing; go up in conversation; and climb when you want to imply gradual, sustained upward momentum. For example: 'Temperatures are rising across the region.' (neutral). 'The company's profits increased steadily over the year.' (formal). 'The price of milk has gone up again.' (conversational). 'Unemployment climbed to 8% after the recession.' (gradual process).
Common collocations
Etymology
Rise comes from Old English rīsan meaning 'to rise, get up from bed, be fit or appropriate.' It traces back to Proto-Germanic rīsaną ('to mount, ascend'), with cognates in Old Norse rísa, Old High German rīsan, and Gothic urreisan ('to rise'). The noun form appeared in Middle English for the act of rising or an upward slope. The sense of 'increase' (verb/noun) developed in the 1500s, while the political meaning 'revolt' emerged in the 1600s. The cooking sense for bread/dough dates from the 1700s. The celestial use (sun/moon rise) was present from the earliest English records.