accumulate
to gather or collect, often in gradual degrees; heap up: to accumulate wealth.
to gather into a heap, mass, cover, etc.; form a steadily increasing quantity: Snow accumulated in the driveway. His debts kept on accumulating.
Origin of accumulate
1Other words from accumulate
- ac·cu·mu·la·ble, adjective
- non·ac·cu·mu·lat·ing, adjective
- o·ver·ac·cu·mu·late, verb, o·ver·ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, o·ver·ac·cu·mu·lat·ing.
- pre·ac·cu·mu·late, verb (used with object), pre·ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, pre·ac·cu·mu·lat·ing.
- re·ac·cu·mu·late, verb, re·ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, re·ac·cu·mu·lat·ing.
- su·per·ac·cu·mu·late, verb (used without object), su·per·ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, su·per·ac·cu·mu·lat·ing.
- un·ac·cu·mu·la·ble, adjective
- un·ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, adjective
- well-ac·cu·mu·lat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use accumulate in a sentence
Samantha is a system that learns as it accumulates facts; no wonder she gets to “know” Theodore better as her algorithms improve.
This circling both anatomizes “junkification” and accumulates its emotional effect on the reader.
The more money an American accumulates, the less interesting he becomes.
Yes, that has changed markedly in the past two years, as Chinese wealth accumulates along with domestic Chinese expertise.
As Xi Jinping Visits the U.S., Obama Gets That China’s Not the Bad Guy | Zachary Karabell | February 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe metabolism slows; muscles degrade; fat accumulates and shifts into all the places where it is most unwelcome.
It has been shown by Chevandrier, that an acre of land under beech wood accumulates annually about 1650 lb.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonIf by chance the detritus accumulates rapidly, the slope is steepened and the work of the torrent made more efficient.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerBy individual thrift Society accumulates, and it is wise to encourage thrift.
The Inhumanity of Socialism | Edward F. AdamsIt crowds the hours, and accumulates until often discouragement and nervous exhaustion follow.
The Leaven in a Great City | Lillian William BettsIts increasing independence of the ostensible career makes it the organ of corrective criticism; it accumulates disturbing energy.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George Wells
British Dictionary definitions for accumulate
/ (əˈkjuːmjʊˌleɪt) /
to gather or become gathered together in an increasing quantity; amass; collect
Origin of accumulate
1Derived forms of accumulate
- accumulable, adjective
- accumulative, adjective
- accumulatively, adverb
- accumulativeness, noun
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
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