accumulate
To heap up in a mass; to pile up; to collect or bring together (either literally or figuratively), often gradually and without active intent.
Example
“He wishes to accumulate a sum of money.”
Other meanings
To gradually grow or increase in quantity or number.
“With her company going bankrupt, her divorce, and a gambling habit, debts started to accumulate so she had to sell her house.”
To take a higher degree at the same time with a lower degree, or at a shorter interval than usual.
Synonyms
- roll up
- collect
- pile up
Related words
- misaccumulated
- preaccumulated
- reaccumulated
- unaccumulated
- accumulable
- accumulative
- bioaccumulate
- hyperaccumulate
- overaccumulate
- reaccumulate
- unaccumulate
- hyperaccumulating
Word history
From Latin "accumulātus".
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “accumulate” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.