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

Often those students accrue debts when they withdraw partway through a course, leading the college to return part of their financial aid to the federal government and charge the bill to the student.

From Los Angeles Times

Baidu's Apollo Go driverless taxi service already operates in dozens of cities, mostly in China, and has accrued millions of rides without a human behind the wheel.

From BBC

If the focus is solely on survivor benefits for your wife, then delaying to age 70 makes more sense than claiming early so that you can accrue those delayed retirement credits.

From MarketWatch

The cabinet report states: "The lack of written lease also creates a significant degree of uncertainty as to the terms of the council's occupation and as to any liability which may have accrued."

From BBC

First, investors should prioritize “picks-and-shovel plays” in AI, as value accrues to bottleneck layers — lithography, memory, advanced logic fabrication and chip design, he says.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• accumulate
• amass