accumulate
UK /əˈkjuː.mjə.leɪt/ US /əˈkjuː.mjə.leɪt/ Syllables: ac-cu-mu-late
Quick answer
To gather or collect gradually over time, often in growing amounts.
To accumulate is to collect more and more of something over time until there is a large amount. Dust accumulates on a shelf, interest accumulates in a bank account, and experience accumulates over the years of a career. The change is slow and steady rather than sudden. The noun is accumulation, and the process often goes unnoticed until the pile has grown large.
"Dust had accumulated on the shelves during the months the house stood empty."Meanings
- To collect more and more of something over time.
- To increase in amount gradually.
Example sentences
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"Dust accumulates quickly on the table."
Level B2, Meaning 2
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"She accumulated a large collection of old books."
Level B2, Meaning 1
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"You can accumulate points every time you shop."
Level B2, Meaning 1
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"Debt can accumulate quickly if you do not pay it."
Level C1, Meaning 2
Synonyms and antonyms
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- gather : Gather means to bring things together. Accumulate stresses that the amount grows slowly over time.
Word family and forms
Forms: accumulates, accumulated, accumulating
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "accumulate".
- accumulate wealth
- accumulate evidence
- accumulate over time
- accumulate points
- dust accumulates
- accumulate debt
Origin
Accumulate comes from Latin accumulare, which meant to pile up. It is built from ad, meaning to, and cumulus, meaning a heap, which is also the name of the heaped clouds called cumulus clouds.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Dictionary.com.
Usage notes
"Accumulate" often describes things that build up gradually, such as wealth, debt, or evidence.
How to remember it
Accumulate has "cumul", and a cumulus cloud is a heap of cloud: things accumulate into a heap.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Dust _____ quickly on the table."
Answer: accumulate
In your own words, what does "accumulate" mean?
To gather or collect gradually over time, often in growing amounts.
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Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin, pronunciation · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Report a mistake on this page