ENGLISH
REFERENCE

accelerate

v.
US //ækˈsɛɫɝˌeɪt// UK //ɐksˈɛləɹˌeɪt// ac·cel·er·ate
  1. 1 to move faster (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to start moving faster or to increase speed.

    to increase in speed or velocity. This sense is frequently used intransitively when describing vehicles or moving bodies.

    Example

    The car began to accelerate as it reached the open highway.

    Example

    The driver waited until he had cleared the residential zone before he began to accelerate smoothly onto the main thoroughfare.

    Usage

    Often used without an object when referring to a vehicle's motion.
  2. 2 to happen faster (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something happen sooner or more quickly than expected.

    to cause a process or series of events to happen more quickly or earlier than originally anticipated.

    Example

    The hot weather will accelerate the growth of the plants in the garden.

    Example

    The government introduced new tax incentives designed to accelerate the transition toward renewable energy sources over the next decade.

    Usage

    Takes a direct object, such as a process, growth, or a schedule.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 physics (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    to change how fast or in what direction something is moving.

    to undergo or cause a change in velocity, including changes in direction even if speed remains constant.

    Example

    In physics, an object can accelerate even if its speed stays the same but its direction changes.

    Example

    A particle entering the magnetic field will accelerate toward the positive electrode due to the electromagnetic force exerted upon it.

  2. 4 education (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Education

    to help a student finish their studies faster than usual.

    to enable a student to complete an academic course or program in less than the standard time.

    Example

    The school allows gifted students to accelerate their learning by taking advanced classes.

    Example

    By earning college credits during high school, she was able to accelerate her degree and graduate a full year early.
    • fast track
Origin

First attested in the 1520s. Either from Latin accelerātus, perfect passive participle of accelerō (“to accelerate, hasten”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), formed from ad + celerō (“to hasten”), which is from celer (“quick”) (see celerity), or back-formation from acceleration.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference