risen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, literary, and religious contexts. Neutral in everyday use as a verb form.
Quick answer
What does “risen” mean?
The past participle of 'rise', meaning to have moved from a lower to a higher position.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past participle of 'rise', meaning to have moved from a lower to a higher position; to have ascended.
Also refers to having increased in amount, intensity, status, or to have become prominent or elevated (e.g., in rank, power, or consciousness). In Christian theology, specifically refers to Jesus Christ returning to life after crucifixion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the adjectival use ('the risen Christ', 'risen dough') is common. Slightly more formal/literary register in everyday contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both BrE and AmE, following the frequency of the base verb 'rise'.
Grammar
How to Use “risen” in a Sentence
[NP] have/has/had risen (PP) (e.g., The sun has risen. Prices have risen sharply.)[NP] be risen (Adj.) (e.g., The dough is risen.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “risen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bread hasn't risen properly in this cold kitchen.
- He had risen through the ranks to become managing director.
- The curtain has risen on a new era of cooperation.
American English
- Gas prices have risen again this month.
- She's risen to every challenge we've given her.
- The moon had already risen by the time we left.
adjective
British English
- They gathered to celebrate the risen Christ on Easter Sunday.
- We walked across the risen ground to get a better view.
American English
- Place the risen dough in the oven to bake.
- The newly risen executive addressed the team.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to increased figures (profits, costs, inflation). 'Share prices have risen significantly this quarter.'
Academic
Used to discuss trends, historical movements, or theoretical elevation. 'Tensions had risen to a critical point.'
Everyday
Most common for describing getting out of bed, sun/moon, or prices. 'I've already risen for the day.'
Technical
In baking, refers to leavened dough. In topography, refers to elevated land. 'The yeast dough is fully risen.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “risen”
- Incorrect: 'The government has risen the taxes.' (Correct: '...raised the taxes.').
- Incorrect use of tense: 'He is risen early every day.' (Correct: 'He has risen early...' or 'He rises early...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but in specific contexts. It can describe something that has ascended (the risen sun) or, most notably, in the religious phrase 'the risen Christ'. In baking, 'risen dough' is common.
'Risen' is the past participle of the intransitive verb 'rise' (no direct object). 'Raised' is the past participle of the transitive verb 'raise', which requires a direct object (e.g., raise your hand, raise prices). You cannot say 'The government has risen taxes.'
In modern standard English, this is archaic and incorrect for everyday situations. The standard present perfect is 'I have risen'. 'I am risen' is preserved in religious/ceremonial language (e.g., 'Christ is risen').
It is an irregular form. The principal parts of the verb are: rise (base) - rose (past) - risen (past participle).
The past participle of 'rise', meaning to have moved from a lower to a higher position.
Risen is usually formal, literary, and religious contexts. neutral in everyday use as a verb form. in register.
Risen: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪz(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪz(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a risen star”
- “risen from the ashes (like a phoenix)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the SUN at DAWN. The sun has RISEN to start a new day. Both words have an 'N' sound at the end.
Conceptual Metaphor
UP IS MORE / SUCCESSFUL / POSITIVE (e.g., risen hopes, risen star). COMING TO LIFE IS RISING (e.g., risen from the dead).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'risen' used correctly?