# accelerating

/ækˈsɛɫɝˌeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /ɐksˈɛləɹˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accelerating
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. moving faster

verb · CEFR B2

moving faster or increasing in speed.

For teachers: increasing in velocity or speed. Intransitive when describing a subject's own motion; transitive when an external force is applied.

- The car was accelerating as it entered the highway to match the speed of traffic.
- The vehicle was accelerating rapidly down the straightaway, its engine roaring as the driver pushed for a record-breaking lap time.

Usage: Often used with 'to' or 'towards' to indicate a target speed or destination.

### 2. happening faster

verb · CEFR B2

making a process or change happen more quickly than before.

For teachers: causing a process, development, or change to happen at a faster rate.

- New technology is accelerating the way we share information around the world.
- The government is accelerating the transition to renewable energy by offering significant tax incentives to homeowners who install solar panels.

Usage: Frequently used in business and academic contexts to describe social or economic trends.

### 3. the act of speeding up

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of increasing speed or the rate at which something happens.

For teachers: the action or process of increasing in speed or rate. Functions as a gerund noun.

- The accelerating of the project's timeline meant the team had to work through the weekend.
- The constant accelerating and braking in heavy city traffic significantly reduces the fuel efficiency of most petrol-powered vehicles.

Usage: While 'acceleration' is the standard noun, the gerund 'accelerating' is used to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action.

## Examples

- The car is accelerating on the highway.
- The train began accelerating as it left the station.
- The accelerating pace of technological change requires workers to adapt their skills continuously.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.