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

While working as a retail manager making about $13 an hour, he saw that his monthly loan payments only partially covered the interest that was accruing and weren’t making a dent in his principal balance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Next, West should use the $1,350 he currently puts into his savings account and primary brokerage account each month to pay down the $5,730 student loan, currently accruing interest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The head of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, said the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to debts accrued by the three owners.

Read more on BBC

In the latter scenario, interest would still accrue on the principal over the 10-year grace period.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If officers accrue a certain number of points within a short span they can be required to undergo retraining or have their driving privileges revoked.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.