Gain vs. Increase — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Gain often implies an addition of value or beneficial qualities, particularly in finance or personal achievements, whereas increase refers to the quantitative growth or rise in numbers or size.
Difference Between Gain and Increase
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Gain is commonly associated with a positive acquisition, such as financial profits or improvements in skills, emphasizing the value-added aspect. Whereas, increase specifically denotes a rise in quantity or volume, often used in the context of measurable metrics such as population, prices, or temperature.
In financial terms, gain usually refers to profits or advantageous outcomes in investments, indicating an improvement from a previous state. On the other hand, increase in this context could refer to the growth in the value of an asset or portfolio, focusing purely on numerical growth without the connotation of benefit.
When discussing personal achievements or health, a gain might involve acquiring new skills, improving health, or advancing in career goals, typically seen as beneficial changes. Conversely, an increase in this area could simply mean more frequent exercise or a higher count of accomplished tasks, emphasizing quantity.
Environmental contexts also use these terms differently. A gain in biodiversity implies an improvement in the ecological balance or variety of species, suggesting positive environmental impact. In contrast, an increase in temperature or sea levels generally refers to a statistical rise, often highlighting concerns or challenges.
The term gain is often qualitative, focusing on the improvement or benefit of an outcome. However, increase is quantitative, highlighting the scale of change or expansion in specific metrics without implying positive or negative outcomes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Addition of value or benefit
Rise in quantity or size
Context
Often used in finance, skills
Used in measurable changes
Implication
Usually positive
Neutral, simply quantitative
Example Usage
Gain in knowledge, financial gain
Increase in temperature, population
Focus
Qualitative improvement
Quantitative growth
Compare with Definitions
Gain
An increase in resources or advantages, often financial.
The investor celebrated a significant gain from his stock portfolio.
Increase
A rise in number or amount, often measurable.
There was an increase in the number of attendees at the annual conference.
Gain
The acquisition of beneficial attributes or qualities.
The seminar offered a substantial gain in understanding blockchain technology.
Increase
The act of becoming larger or more extensive.
The increase in her responsibilities at work was substantial.
Gain
The beneficial outcome of an action or decision.
His decision to switch jobs was a gain for his career growth.
Increase
Growth in dimensions, capacity, or scope.
The expansion project will see a considerable increase in the factory's production capacity.
Gain
Improvement or progress in skills or health.
She experienced a gain in stamina after her new workout regimen.
Increase
A quantitative growth in phenomena or elements.
The report showed a steady increase in average temperatures over the decade.
Gain
Earnings obtained from business or investment.
The company reported a quarterly gain that exceeded expectations.
Increase
Escalation or expansion in terms of intensity or degree.
There has been an increase in demand for renewable energy sources.
Gain
Obtain or secure (something wanted or desirable)
Their blend of acoustic pop gained them several chart hits
We gained entry to the car in five seconds
Increase
To become greater or larger.
Gain
Reach or arrive at (a destination)
We gained the ridge
Increase
To multiply; reproduce.
Gain
Increase the amount or rate of (something, typically weight or speed)
I have gained weight over the years
Increase
To make greater or larger.
Gain
An increase in wealth or resources
The pursuit of personal gain
Shares showed gains of up to 21 per cent
Increase
The act of increasing
A steady increase in temperature.
Gain
The factor by which power or voltage is increased in an amplifier or other electronic device, usually expressed as a logarithm
An amplifier of high gain
Increase
The amount or rate by which something is increased
A tax increase of 15 percent.
Gain
To come into possession or use of; acquire
Gained a small fortune in real estate.
Gained vital information about the enemy's plans.
Increase
(Obsolete) Reproduction and spread; propagation.
Gain
To attain in competition or struggle; win
Gained a decisive victory.
Gained control of the company.
Increase
(intransitive) (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater.
His rage only increased when I told him of the lost money.
Gain
To obtain through effort or merit; achieve
Gain recognition.
Gain a hearing for the proposal.
Increase
(transitive) To make (a quantity, etc.) larger.
Gain
To secure as profit or reward; earn
Gain a living.
Gain extra credits in school.
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Gain
To manage to achieve an increase of
A movement that gained strength.
Gained wisdom with age.
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax.
The Moon increases.
Gain
To increase by (a specific amount)
Gained 15 pounds.
The market gained 30 points.
Increase
An amount by which a quantity is increased.
Gain
To come to; reach
Gained the top of the mountain.
Increase
For a quantity, the act or process of becoming larger
Gain
To become fast by (a specified amount of time). Used of a timepiece
My watch gains four minutes a day.
Increase
Offspring, progeny
Gain
To increase; grow
Gained in experience and maturity.
A painting that gained in value.
Increase
(knitting) The creation of one or more new stitches; see Increase (knitting).
Gain
To become better; improve
Gaining in health.
Increase
To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; - opposed to decrease.
The waters increased and bare up the ark.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The heavens forbidBut that our loves and comforts should increase,Even as our days do grow!
Gain
To obtain a profit or advantage; benefit
Stood to gain politically by his opponent's blunder.
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn.
Gain
To move closer to a person or thing that is moving ahead; close a gap
The runners in the back gained steadily on the leader.
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.
Gain
To put on weight
I began to gain when I went off my diet.
Increase
To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence.
I will increase the famine.
Make denialsIncrease your services.
Gain
To operate or run fast. Used of a timepiece.
Increase
Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.
As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.
For things of tender kind for pleasure madeShoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd.
Gain
To cut out a gain in.
Increase
That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest.
Take thou no usury of him, or increase.
Let them not live to taste this land's increase.
Gain
To join by or fit into a gain.
Increase
Progeny; issue; offspring.
All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.
Gain
Something gained or acquired
Territorial gains.
Increase
Generation.
Gain
Progress; advancement
The country made economic gains under the new government.
Increase
The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; - said of the moon.
Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon.
Gain
The act of acquiring; attainment.
Increase
A quantity that is added;
There was an addition to property taxes this year
They recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks
Gain
An increase in amount or degree
A gain in operating income.
Increase
A change resulting in an increase;
The increase is scheduled for next month
Gain
(Electronics) An increase in signal power, voltage, or current by an amplifier, expressed as the ratio of output to input. Also called amplification.
Increase
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
Gain
The reflectivity of a projection screen, usually expressed relative to the reflectivity of a standard surface of magnesium carbonate.
Increase
The amount by which something increases;
They proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare
Gain
A notch or mortise cut into a board to receive another part.
Increase
The act of increasing something;
He gave me an increase in salary
Gain
(transitive) To acquire possession of.
Looks like you've gained a new friend.
Increase
Become bigger or greater in amount;
The amount of work increased
Gain
(intransitive) To have or receive advantage or profit; to acquire gain; to grow rich; to advance in interest, health, or happiness; to make progress.
The sick man gains daily.
Increase
Make bigger or more;
The boss finally increased her salary
The university increased the number of students it admitted
Gain
To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition.
To gain a battle; to gain a case at law
Gain
(transitive) To increase.
Gain
(intransitive) To be more likely to catch or overtake an individual.
I'm gaining (on you).
Gain ground
Gain
(transitive) To reach.
To gain the top of a mountain
Gain
To draw into any interest or party; to win to one's side; to conciliate.
Gain
(intransitive) To put on weight.
I've been gaining.
Gain
(of a clock or watch) To run fast.
Gain
The act of gaining; acquisition.
Gain
The thing or things gained.
Gain
(electronics) The factor by which a signal is multiplied.
Gain
(architecture) A square or bevelled notch cut out of a girder, binding joist, or other timber which supports a floor beam, so as to receive the end of the floor beam.
Gain
(obsolete) Against.
Gain
(obsolete) Straight, direct; near; short.
The gainest way
Gain
(obsolete) Suitable; convenient; ready.
Gain
(dialectal) Easy; tolerable; handy, dexterous.
Gain
(dialectal) Honest; respectable; moderate; cheap.
Gain
(obsolete) Straightly; quickly; by the nearest way or means.
Gain
(dialectal) Suitably; conveniently; dexterously; moderately.
Gain
(dialectal) Tolerably; fairly.
Gain quiet (= fairly/pretty quiet)
Gain
A square or beveled notch cut out of a girder, binding joist, or other timber which supports a floor beam, so as to receive the end of the floor beam.
Gain
That which is gained, obtained, or acquired, as increase, profit, advantage, or benefit; - opposed to loss.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Every one shall share in the gains.
Gain
The obtaining or amassing of profit or valuable possessions; acquisition; accumulation.
Gain
Convenient; suitable; direct; near; handy; dexterous; easy; profitable; cheap; respectable.
Gain
To get, as profit or advantage; to obtain or acquire by effort or labor; as, to gain a good living.
What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
To gain dominion, or to keep it gained.
For fame with toil we gain, but lose with ease.
Gain
To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition; as, to gain a battle; to gain a case at law; to gain a prize.
Gain
To draw into any interest or party; to win to one's side; to conciliate.
If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
To gratify the queen, and gained the court.
Gain
To reach; to attain to; to arrive at; as, to gain the top of a mountain; to gain a good harbor.
Forded Usk and gained the wood.
Gain
To get, incur, or receive, as loss, harm, or damage.
Ye should . . . not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
Gain
To have or receive advantage or profit; to acquire gain; to grow rich; to advance in interest, health, or happiness; to make progress; as, the sick man gains daily.
Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion.
The English have not only gained upon the Venetians in the Levant, but have their cloth in Venice itself.
My good behavior had so far gained on the emperor, that I began to conceive hopes of liberty.
Gain
A quantity that is added;
There was an addition to property taxes this year
They recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks
Gain
The advantageous quality of being beneficial
Gain
The amount of increase in signal power or voltage or current expressed as the ratio of output to input
Gain
The amount by which the revenue of a business exceeds its cost of operating
Gain
Obtain;
Derive pleasure from one's garden
Gain
Win something through one's efforts;
I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese
Gain an understanding of international finance
Gain
Derive a benefit from;
She profited from his vast experience
Gain
Reach a destination, either real or abstract;
We hit Detroit by noon
The water reached the doorstep
We barely made it to the finish line
I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts
Gain
Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.;
The home team was gaining ground
After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
Gain
Rise in rate or price;
The stock market gained 24 points today
Gain
Increase in;
Gain momentum
Gain nerve
Gain
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Gain
Increase (one's body weight);
She gained 20 pounds when she stopped exercising
Common Curiosities
Can 'gain' ever be negative?
Typically, 'gain' is used in positive contexts, though in certain situations, like weight gain, it might not be desired.
How do health professionals use the term 'gain'?
Health professionals might use 'gain' when referring to recovery or improvements in patient health.
What might 'increase' imply in social settings?
It could refer to a rise in attendance, participation, or social phenomena.
What does 'gain' typically imply in a financial context?
In finance, 'gain' implies a positive financial return or profit from investments.
How is 'increase' used differently from 'gain'?
'Increase' is used to describe quantitative growth, whereas 'gain' often connotes positive improvements or additions.
What are examples of 'increase' in environmental contexts?
Examples include an increase in global temperatures or the rise in sea levels.
What is a key linguistic difference between 'gain' and 'increase'?
'Gain' is often used in contexts that imply benefit, while 'increase' is neutral and focuses on quantity.
Can 'gain' relate to emotional or psychological benefits?
Yes, one can gain confidence, happiness, or satisfaction, indicating psychological or emotional improvements.
Is there a situation where 'gain' and 'increase' can be used interchangeably?
While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, 'gain' usually adds a qualitative aspect that 'increase' does not imply.
What does an 'increase' in a scientific experiment indicate?
It typically indicates a rise in numerical data or measured results.
What does an 'increase' in workload mean?
It means a rise in the amount or intensity of work assigned to someone.
How do sports commentators use these terms?
They might use 'gain' to describe a player's improvement or team advantage, while 'increase' could refer to scores or statistical changes.
How do businesses use these terms differently?
Businesses might refer to 'gain' in terms of profits and benefits, while 'increase' might refer to growth in sales, production, or workforce.
How is 'increase' viewed in economic terms?
Economically, 'increase' can refer to growth in GDP, inflation rates, or market sizes.
Is 'gain' associated with learning?
Yes, it is commonly used to denote learning gains, as in acquiring knowledge or skills.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Septet vs. Heptet
Next Comparison
Windbreak vs. ShelterbeltAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
