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Definition of augment by Dictionary.com:

to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase

Definition of increase by Dictionary.com:

to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to

I cannot find the difference because the definition of the 2 words are the same.

For example, "her secretarial work helped to augment her husband's income"

Wouldn't it mean the same if I replace it with increase?

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3 Answers 3

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From Google's definition:

aug·ment verb ôɡˈment/ 1. make (something) greater by adding to it; increase. "he augmented his summer income by painting houses"

When you use augment, you mean that you are adding to something by adding in something else; the word is generally used with a prepositional phrase starting with by or with. Increase doesn't have that sense.

Now, to your example. If the secretary augmented her husband's salary, that means her salary is added to his, for a greater combined income for the couple. If the secretary increased her husband's salary, that means that she gave her husband a raise (i.e. the extra money would be his salary as well as the original amount) and it would imply that the lady was her husband's boss.

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    "Augment" in this context has an implication that the secretary's salary is much lower than her husbands, and is just just acting as a small adjustment to the overall total. Other terms the could be used here with similar (although not identical) connotations would include "supplemented" and "topped-up".
    – Simba
    Dec 7, 2015 at 14:24
  • It seems "augment" is an augmented form of "increase".
    – talrnu
    Dec 7, 2015 at 14:29
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Augmenting has a positive connotation. It sort of implies that we are adding on to something with a desirable effect, or making something more complete.

On the other hand, increasing has a neutral connotation and objectively describes the quantitative change of something.

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No, it would not mean the same. The verb augment mainly means:

Make (something) greater by adding to it

To increase her husband's income means the amount of his salary increases. Her income will only add X amount to his salary making them (his and her income) total household income.

His boss (CEO) might be able to increase (raise) his salary for his good performance, but his wife can't.

[Oxford Online Dictionary]

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  • oh, no, Dictionary.com's definition doesn't have "by adding to it".
    – XPMai
    Dec 7, 2015 at 4:47
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    @XPMai The above answer also has the same definition. Not all the dictionaries have the same definition. Merriam-Webster: to add something to (something) in order to improve or complete it.
    – user140086
    Dec 7, 2015 at 4:50
  • yeah, but "adding to it" is the main point of the word yet Dictionary.com's definition doesn't have it.
    – XPMai
    Dec 7, 2015 at 4:51
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    @XPMai You had better look at other dictionaries, too. To make larger means to add something to something. "Her secretarial work helped to make their household income larger.
    – user140086
    Dec 7, 2015 at 4:59

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