accrue

[uh-kroo]

See more synonyms for accrue on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), ac·crued, ac·cru·ing.

to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc.
to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money.
Law. to become a present and enforceable right or demand.

Origin of accrue

1425–75; late Middle English acruen, acrewen, probably < Anglo-French accru(e), Middle French accreu(e), past participle of ac(c)reistre to increase < Latin accrēscere grow. See ac-, crew¹, accretion

Related formsac·cru·a·ble, adjectiveac·crue·ment, nounnon·ac·crued, adjectivenon·ac·cru·ing, adjectivesu·per·ac·crue, verb (used without object), su·per·ac·crued, su·per·ac·cru·ing.un·ac·crued, adjective

Synonyms for accrue

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1, 2. accumulate, collect, grow, increase.

Antonyms for accrue

1, 2. dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen, dissipate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for accrued

accumulate, amass, gather, flow, enlarge, increase, collect, grow

Examples from the Web for accrued

Contemporary Examples of accrued

He takes careful sips while passing down the collective knowledge of his ancestors, accrued over countless generations.
Bye Bye Latté, Hello Guayusa: Why The Amazon Holds the Secret to a Cleaner, Healthier Caffeine
Brandon Presser
August 29, 2014
Still, Diamond is finding the reputation he's accrued over the past decade hard to lose.
'Saved by the Bell' Star Dustin Diamond Doesn't Want to Be a Jerk Anymore
Kevin Fallon
August 11, 2014
The show looked and felt nothing like the one that accrued eight seasons of fans.
‘Community’ Review: ‘Repilot’ Is Both an Epic Failure and a Major Success
Kevin Fallon
January 3, 2014
He goes beyond Haass to focus on the immense profits that accrued to American contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The End of the Illusion: America Finally Learns Its Limits
Jacob Heilbrunn
April 30, 2013
The petition has accrued 413 signatures so far, as well as multiple comments of support.
Petition Filed Against John Galliano’s Parsons Class
Misty White Sidell
April 26, 2013

Historical Examples of accrued

Here are children in abundance, and what benefit could have accrued to me from his purchasing Vernon?
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
But David counted out his debt to her methodically, with the accrued interest.
IT and Other Stories
Gouverneur Morris
What evils have accrued from want of consideration and foresight!
Camilla
Fanny Burney
To the family of the Palassis much honour had accrued—not forgetting the Callahans.
Old Judge Priest
Irvin S. Cobb
Certain expenses will have accrued which have not been paid.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 4
Various

British Dictionary definitions for accrued

accrue

verb -crues, -cruing or -crued (intr)

to increase by growth or addition, esp (of capital) to increase by periodic addition of interest
(often foll by to) to fall naturally (to); come into the possession (of); result (for)
law (of a right or demand) to become capable of being enforced

Word Origin for accrue

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for accrued

accrue

mid-15c., from Old French acreue "growth, increase, what has grown," fem. of acreu, past participle of acreistre (Modern French accroître) "to increase," from Latin accrescere (see accretion). Related: Accrued; accruing. Apparently a verb from a French noun because there is no English verb to go with it until much later, unless the record is defective.