Word
accruing
Phoneticsac·cru·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈkɹuɪŋ/
UK/ɐkɹˈuːɪŋ/
Definition
v. to slowly build up over time, like money, interest, or vacation days. You use this when small amounts add up to something bigger.
v. to accumulate gradually over time, especially financial benefits, debts, or rights. Often used for interest, leave, or liabilities that increase incrementally.
Examples
“Interest is accruing on my savings every month.”
“She watches vacation days accruing each month before planning her summer trip.”
“While debts kept accruing interest through the winter, the small business struggled to balance rising costs with falling sales.”
Examples
simple
“Interest is accruing on my savings every month.”
contextual
“She watches vacation days accruing each month before planning her summer trip.”
complex
“While debts kept accruing interest through the winter, the small business struggled to balance rising costs with falling sales.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “accruing” in context.
Verb
01. accrue benefit
“Full-time staff accrue benefits after six months of continuous service.”
verb + noun
02. accrue interest
“The savings account will accrue interest at a rate of 3% per year.”
verb + noun
03. accrue liability
“The company will accrue liability for unpaid bonuses at year end.”
verb + noun
04. accrue over time
“Small pension contributions accrue over time into a substantial fund.”
verb + prep + noun
05. accrue to employee
“Any unused sick days accrue to the employee for future use.”
verb + prep + noun
06. debt accrues
“Credit card debt accrues rapidly when only minimum payments are made.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. automatically accrue
“Paid vacation days automatically accrue each month under company policy.”
adv + verb
08. steadily accrue
“Interest will steadily accrue if you leave your savings untouched for years.”
adv + verb
Noun
09. accrual of pension
“The accrual of pension rights depends on years of continuous employment.”
noun + prep + noun
10. accrue interest on savings
“Your deposit will accrue interest on savings without any extra fees.”
11. allow leave to accrue
“The firm allows leave to accrue up to a maximum of 25 days.”
12. benefits accrue over time
“Retirement benefits accrue over time the longer you stay employed.”
Usage
The verb can be intransitive (interest accrues) or transitive (to accrue interest).
Real-World Examples
“But she is currently on maternity leave and knows the interest will continue to accrue while her earnings - and therefore monthly repayments - drop.” “Taxpayers and local communities will ultimately bear the consequences as councils face impossible choices about how to protect frontline services while managing debts that have accrued through no fault of their own.” “In total, it has accrued seven nuisance fines.” “The longer it takes to transition away from fossil fuels such as coal, the more costs accrue as climate change accelerates.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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