I. boost 1 /buːst/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to increase or improve something and make it more successful:
The new resort area has boosted tourism.
boost sb’s confidence/morale/ego
The win boosted the team’s confidence.
2 . ( also boost up ) to help someone reach a higher place by lifting or pushing them:
He boosted her up.
3 . if a ↑ rocket or motor boosts a ↑ spacecraft , it makes it go up into space or go in a particular direction
4 . American English informal to steal something
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THESAURUS
■ to make something increase
▪ increase to make something larger in number, amount, or degree:
Being overweight increases the risk of having a heart attack.
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We need to increase the number of police officers on the streets.
▪ put something up to increase prices, taxes etc. Put up something is less formal than increase , and is the usual verb to use in everyday English:
The landlord has put the rent up again.
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They’re always putting up gas prices.
▪ raise to increase something such as prices or taxes, or levels or standards:
The bank has raised interest rates for the third time this year.
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The school aims to raise students’ levels of achievement.
▪ double/triple to increase the amount of something so that it is twice or three times as large:
The airline plans to double the number of passengers it carries by 2015.
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High blood pressure triples the risk of strokes.
▪ boost to increase sales, profits, production etc, especially when they have been lower than you want them to be:
Growing affluence has boosted sales.
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Oil exports boosted the economy.
▪ expand to increase something so that it contains a wider range of things, or to increase the size of a business:
The company plans to expand its retail operations.
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Supermarkets have expanded their ranges to include non-food items.
▪ extend to increase something such as your power or influence, or the number of things you are involved in:
We are hoping to extend the range of services that we offer.
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The company plans to extend its dominance of the world car market.
▪ step up something to increase your efforts or activities, especially to change a situation:
Security has been stepped up following the bombing.
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Local people have stepped up their campaign to prevent a prison being built in their neighbourhood.
▪ heighten to increase a feeling or effect:
The attack has heightened concerns about racism in schools.
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Hunger can heighten the effect that alcohol has on you.
▪ maximize to increase something as much as possible:
Businesses try to maximize efficiency and cut costs.
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To maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy, you should make sure that you eat well.
II. boost 2 BrE AmE noun
1 . [singular] something that gives someone more confidence, or that helps something increase, improve, or become successful
boost to
a major boost to the economy
boost for
a multimillion-pound boost for the British film industry
Add a little more vanilla, to give the flavor a boost.
get/receive a boost
The community will get a boost from a new library and recreation center.
morale/ego boost
The poll provided a morale boost for the Conservatives.
2 . give somebody a boost (up) to lift someone so that they can reach a higher place:
If I give you a boost, could you reach the window?
3 . [uncountable] an increase in the amount of power available to a ↑ rocket , piece of electrical equipment etc