Accumulate
To gather or collect gradually over time; to increase in number, quantity, or amount.
verbAccumulate
To gather or collect gradually over time; to increase in number, quantity, or amount.
verbImagine This
Imagine a savings jar you add a coin to every week; day by day the coins accumulate, and the jar grows heavier and more valuable.
Sounds Like
uh-KYOO-muh-layt
Looks Like
Visually resembles related forms like accumulation or accumulator; shares the root cum- meaning heap.
Remember This
Accumulate usually implies slow, steady growth over time and is commonly used with dust, data, wealth, or evidence.
Other Forms
Connect With
amass, collect, accrue, pile up, build up
Note
Use accumulate for gradual growth over time. For sums that grow because of interest or benefits, accrue is more common; for a physical buildup, accumulate is also appropriate. Remember the noun form accumulation and the adjective forms accumulated and accumulative.