# escalate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɛs.kə.leɪt/ · frequency rank #18,302

## Definitions
1. To increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step up.
2. In technical support, to transfer a customer, a problem, etc. to the next higher level of authority
3. To climb.
4. To move by escalator.

## Etymology
Back-formation from escalator.

## Easily confused with
- **excavate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/escalate-vs-excavate)
- **escalator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/escalate-vs-escalator)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ecsalate`, `esaclate`, `escaalte`, `escalaet`, `escalatte`, `escallate`, `escaltae`, `esccalate`, `esclaate`, `esscalate`, `secalate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/escalate