arise

arise — verb

1. to begin, become present, or come to people's attention

1.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to begin, become present, or come to people's attention

Example

A problem arose when the train stopped inside the tunnel.

something arises

New questions arose after the hospital changed its visiting rules.

collocation: questions arise

Common collocations
  • questions arise
  • problems arise
  • difficulties arise
  • an opportunity arises
  • if the need arises
Synonyms
  • happen

    the usual everyday word, with less formal tone

  • occur

    close in meaning, but often used in formal reports or official writing

  • appear

    fits best when something becomes visible or noticeable rather than simply taking place

Antonyms
  • end

    describes something stopping instead of beginning

  • disappear

    describes something no longer being present or noticeable

Grammar Patterns

something arises

if the need arises

Usage Note

Common with subjects like problem, question, concern, or opportunity, and more formal than happen. The fixed phrase if the need arises means 'if it becomes necessary'.

Common Mistakes

The news arose many questions.
The news raised many questions.
arise is intransitive, so it cannot take a direct object.

2. to be produced by a particular cause, event, or situation

2.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

to be produced by a particular cause, event, or situation

Example

Many skin problems arise from using strong soap every day.

arise from + cause

The delay arose from a broken truck on the mountain road.

Common collocations
  • arise from stress
  • arise from conflict
  • arise from a mistake
  • arise from complaints
  • arise from illness
Synonyms
  • come from

    the everyday choice for naming an origin or source

  • result from

    often emphasizes a clear cause-and-effect link

  • stem from

    common in formal explanation and analysis

Grammar Patterns

arise from something

Usage Note

Almost always followed by from, naming the source or cause. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 focuses on something beginning or becoming noticeable, while this sense explains what produced it.

Common Mistakes

Her back pain arose by stress at work.
Her back pain arose from stress at work.
this sense normally uses from before the cause.

3. to leave your bed, or to lift yourself from a seat to your feet

3.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

to leave your bed, or to lift yourself from a seat to your feet

Example

Ethan arose before dawn to feed the chickens.

formal: arise before dawn

At the judge's entrance, everyone in the room arose.

formal standing in respect

Common collocations
  • arise before dawn
  • arise from bed
  • arise from a chair
  • arise slowly
  • arise in respect
Synonyms
  • get up

    the normal everyday phrase for leaving bed

  • stand up

    focuses on moving to your feet from a chair or seat

  • rise

    close in meaning and also more formal than get up

Antonyms
  • sit down

    describes moving from standing to sitting

  • lie down

    describes moving onto a bed or other flat place

Grammar Patterns

arise from bed

arise from a chair

Usage Note

Formal and mainly written; everyday speech usually uses get up or stand up. It is often used for rising from bed or for standing as a sign of respect.

Common Mistakes

I arose up at six today.
I arose at six today.
arise already includes the idea of getting up, so up is not needed.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For sense 1, arise is a formal way to say that something begins or becomes noticeable. Happen is the normal everyday word and fits almost any event: 'A problem happened' is possible, though 'a problem came up' is more natural in speech. Occur is also formal, but it often sounds more neutral and factual, especially in reports: 'The error occurred at 9:14.' Appear is narrower because it focuses on coming into view or becoming noticeable, not simply taking place. So questions may arise during a meeting, a storm may happen at night, an accident may occur on the highway, and smoke may appear above the trees.

arise ↗happen ↗occur ↗appear ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Arise comes from Old English arisan, an early Germanic verb related to rise. The oldest uses were about getting up physically. Later, English extended it to wider meanings such as beginning, becoming noticeable, and coming from a particular cause.