accrue

[uh-kroo]

verb (used without object)

accrued, accruing 

1. to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc.

   Synonyms: gather, collect, accumulate
   Antonyms: scatter, dissipate, disperse, dispel

2. to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, such as an employment benefit or interest on money.

   Paid time off is accrued weekly, at a rate of one hour per week.

   Synonyms: increase, grow
   Antonyms: lessen, diminish, decrease, dwindle

3. Law.,  to become a present and enforceable right or demand.

accrue

/ əˈkruː /

verb

1. to increase by growth or addition, esp (of capital) to increase by periodic addition of interest

2. (often foll by to) to fall naturally (to); come into the possession (of); result (for)

3. law (of a right or demand) to become capable of being enforced

Other Word Forms

• accruable adjective
• accruement noun
• nonaccruing adjective
• superaccrue verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of accrue¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English acruen, acrewen, probably from Anglo-French accru(e), Middle French accreu(e), past participle of ac(c)resitre “to increase,” from Latin accrēscere “to grow”; ac-, crew ¹, accretion

Word History and Origins

Origin of accrue¹

C15: from Old French accreue growth, ultimately from Latin accrēscere to increase, from ad- to, in addition + crēscere to grow

Example Sentences

As the decade wore on, Aspinall rechristened the project as “The Long and Winding Road,” refining the documentary’s scope as he accrued rare audio and footage associated with the Beatles’ unparalleled story.

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Emanuel has some forthright opinions about where the value from sports and entertainment will accrue in this new era.

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At that point, workers’ share of gross domestic product, currently 52%, “converges to zero, and most income eventually accrues to compute.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The lion's share of the gains and the benefits accrue to Alberta, while the lion's share of generational risks occur in BC."

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This isn't an "endorsement of an unequal system", they stress, but a recognition that "there is no caste disprivilege without a corresponding privilege accruing to some other caste".

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Related Words

• accumulate 
• amass 

When To Use

What does accrue mean?

Accrue means to grow and accumulate naturally or to be added periodically. It’s especially used in the context of finance to refer to the growth of interest in an account.The past tense of accrue (accrued) can also be used as an adjective describing something that has been accumulated, as in accrued interest.The noun form of accrue is accrual.In law, accrue means to become a legal right.Example: A retirement fund allows money to accrue over the course of your career so that you can support yourself once you stop working.