Accumulate
/əˈkjuːmjʊleɪt/
verbIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
To increase in quantity, number, or degree gradually over time.
/əˈkjuːmjʊleɪt/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To gather or acquire something gradually over time.
Snow accumulated on the roof.
💡 Simply: To collect more and more of something.
More Examples
2
She accumulated a large collection of stamps.
How It's Used
Finance
"He accumulated a significant amount of wealth through shrewd investments."
Science
"Dust particles accumulate on surfaces over time."
From Latin *accumulare, from ad- "to" + cumulus "heap". The word has evolved to encompass the gradual gathering or collection of something over time.
The word's usage has remained consistent throughout history, referring to the gradual gathering of things.
Memory tip
Imagine a cumulus cloud gathering moisture, accumulating until it rains.
Practice
Base: accumulate
acumulateacculumateacumulate
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written