German word

zunehmend

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsuːneːmənt/

Meaning

  • adverbincreasingly

Example

Die Probleme werden zunehmend sichtbar.

The problems are becoming increasingly visible.

Illustration for zunehmend (increasingly)

More examples

Die Wartezeiten in der Klinik werden zunehmend länger.

The waiting times at the clinic are becoming increasingly long.

Core concept

A line on a graph that rises little by little as time passes.

Common phrases

  • zunehmend wichtig

    increasingly important

  • zunehmend beliebt

    increasingly popular

  • zunehmend gefährlich

    increasingly dangerous

Similar words

immer mehr: In ever greater amounts or with ever greater intensity.
mehr und mehr: In a steadily growing degree or amount.
allmählich: Slowly over time, with small changes along the way.
nach und nach: Gradually, with each stage following the previous one.

Definition in German

in steigendem Maße; bezeichnet eine allmähliche Zunahme von Umfang, Häufigkeit oder Bedeutung.

Word origin

Zunehmend is the present participle of the separable verb zunehmen, formed from zu- and the inherited Germanic verb nehmen, related to English take.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, zunehmend stays uninflected, while the related adjective changes form in phrases such as zunehmende Probleme.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word