accrue

American  

[uh-kroo] / əˈkru /

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.

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accrue British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of accrue

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

Example Sentences

I was told, however, that I was not entitled to the “bonus” years he had already accrued by waiting to collect.

From MarketWatch

She, however, accrued an inexhaustible supply of IOUs.

From Barron's

In addition, in recent years the growth in stock value more than compensates for any interest that might accrue.

From Salon

It stipulates that each of the state, the central bank, commercial banks and depositors will share the losses accrued as a result of the financial crisis.

From Barron's

And the increases in stock-market wealth stemming from the rally in shares of large, public companies accrue mostly to the rich.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accumulate
• amass