Showing results for "accrued"

• past participle of accrue.
• past tense form of accrue.

accrued

American  

[uh-krood] / əˈkrud /

adjective

1. added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money.

   Each year, grants from the accrued interest on the trust fund are awarded to agencies and programs serving the Navajo Nation.

2. happening or coming as or through a natural growth or addition; accumulated.

   The handmade ornaments speak of generations of accrued skill and a high degree of workmanship.

3. Law. noting a right or demand that has become present and enforceable.

   Termination will not affect the accrued rights of either party under this Agreement.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of accrue.

Other Word Forms

• nonaccrued
  adjective
• unaccrued
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of accrued

accrue ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does accrued compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• incurred vs. accrued

Explanation

If something accumulates over a period of time, you can describe this with the adjective accrued. The principal in your bank account is so small, you'll never get rich off the accrued interest. You'd better plan on getting a job. The adjective accrued comes from the Old French word acreu, meaning growth or increase, which is what the modern word describes as well — something that grows or accumulates over time. You forgot to pay your taxes on time. Now, with the accrued fees and penalties, you now owe twice as much as you did originally. The government is happy to take the extra money, but you should try to avoid that costly mistake in the future.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accrued

According to the American Bondholders Foundation, this outstanding debt now exceeds $1 trillion, thanks to accrued interest and penalties.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026

In an email to team managers seen by the BBC, the Central Scotland Football Association said it had accrued a "long list" of discipline issues "which have no place in grassroots football".

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Adelkoff said she has no more accrued vacation to be paid out, and she and Wright wrote that her total compensation last year was lower.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Everton then spent £97m before the 2025-26 campaign - a club record net outlay in a summer transfer window - to repeat the same finish having accrued one more point.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

The sum of it had almost entirely depleted the modest savings Ekon had accrued from his time at the temple, not that Koffi needed to know that, or anything else about his financial situation.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray