Usage patterns ますます 〈 形けい 容よう 詞し 〉 くなる to become increasingly [adjective]
As winter comes, it gets colder and colder.
ますます 〈 動どう 詞し 〉 ようになる to increasingly come to (do something)
He came to study more and more.
〈 事こと 〉 がますます 〈 動どう 詞し 〉 (a situation) increasingly worsens/improves, etc.
The economic situation is worsening more and more.
Expressions ますますもって increasingly; more and more; decreasingly; less and less 多た 々た 益ます 々ます 弁べん ず the busier you are, the better you work · the more, the better Related words いよいよ emphasizes a long-awaited or climactic moment, while ますます describes a gradual, ongoing increase or decrease.
どんどん suggests rapid, energetic progression with momentum, whereas ますます is more neutral and describes a steady, continuing trend.
ますます is the common, neutral word for 'more and more', while 転 is a literary, emotive adverb used mainly in formal or classical writing.
ますます describes a gradual increase over time ('more and more'), whereas なおさら points to an increase caused by a specific preceding reason.
ますます describes something progressively increasing over time ('more and more'), whereas 更に simply adds a further degree or point without implying gradual progression.
Written forms ますます Usage 94%
Usually written in kana; this is the most common and recommended spelling.
益ます 々ます Usage 5%
Kanji spelling using 益 ; less common but still encountered.
益ますます Usage 1%
Single-kanji abbreviation; rare and mostly seen in older or compact writing.
増ます 々ます Usage <1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
マスマス Usage <1%
増ま す 増ま す
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
Etymology Reduplication of the verb 増す (ます , 'to increase'), yielding an adverbial form meaning 'increasingly'. The kanji 益 (benefit, increase) is often used for its meaning, but the word is now predominantly written in kana.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
