accumulate

American  

[uh-kyoo-myuh-leyt] / əˈkyu myəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

accumulated, accumulating

1. to gather or collect, often in gradual degrees; heap up.

   to accumulate wealth.

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verb (used without object)

accumulated, accumulating

1. to gather into a heap, mass, cover, etc.; form a steadily increasing quantity.

   Snow accumulated in the driveway. His debts kept on accumulating.

accumulate British  

/ əˈkjuːmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to gather or become gathered together in an increasing quantity; amass; collect

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Other Word Forms

• accumulable
  adjective
• accumulative
  adjective
• accumulatively
  adverb
• accumulativeness
  noun
• nonaccumulating
  adjective
• overaccumulate
  verb
• preaccumulate
  verb (used with object)
• reaccumulate
  verb
• superaccumulate
  verb (used without object)
• unaccumulable
  adjective
• unaccumulated
  adjective
• well-accumulated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of accumulate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin accumulātus “heaped up,” past participle of accumulāre “to heap up,” from ac- ac- + cumul(us) “heap” ( see cumulus ( def. )) + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

To accumulate means to gather, usually in large quantities. Let's hope your boyfriend is not the type to accumulate girlfriends. The root of accumulate is cumulus which means "mound" or "heap." You might have heard of cumulus clouds, those big fluffy clouds that look like giant piles of whipped cream. Think of these heaping helpings of clouds when you think of accumulate. The money in your savings account accumulates interest, though these days you won't accumulate much wealth that way! Police accumulate evidence until they have enough to charge someone with a crime.

Example Sentences

On Monday, Netflix shares were raised to Accumulate from Sell by Helena Wang, an analyst at the Singapore-based PhillipCapital.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Appeared in the December 9, 2025, print edition as 'Memories Accumulate in the Basement'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

But he also shares his hard-won wisdom: "Eradicate any kind of energy that pins you down... Accumulate all that you need and help the people eat."

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Accumulate and measure your activities “in whatever way works for you,” said Dr. Paluch.

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2021

Accumulate the Material+.—Begin to think about your subject.

From Higher Lessons in English A work on English grammar and composition by Kellogg, Brainerd

Related Words

• accrue
• acquire
• add to
• assemble
• collect
• compile
• concentrate
• expand
• gain
• grow
• hoard
• increase
• pile up
• rack up
• swell