Word
accumulate
Phoneticsac·cu·mu·late, stress on the second syllable
US/əkˈjumjəˌɫeɪt/
UK/ɐkjˈuːmjʊlˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to gather something gradually
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to collect a large amount of something over time, often without trying very hard.
v. to heap up or collect something in a mass; to bring together gradually. Transitive — takes a direct object.
“Over the years, he managed to accumulate a large collection of rare books.”
“The corporation continued to accumulate capital throughout the fiscal year, despite the downturn in the global manufacturing sector.”
02to increase in quantity
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to grow or increase in number or amount over time.
v. to gradually grow or increase in quantity or number. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.
Español:acumularse
“Dust began to accumulate on the windowsills of the empty house.”
“Toxic chemicals can accumulate in the soil over several decades, posing a significant risk to local groundwater supplies.”
03academic degrees
C2 · Proficiency Education Archaic · Formal
v. to take two university degrees at the same time or very close together.
v. to take a higher degree at the same time as a lower degree, or at a shorter interval than is standard.
“In the past, a student might accumulate their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the same year.”
“The university statutes formerly permitted candidates to accumulate degrees under specific, albeit rare, circumstances of exceptional scholarship.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “accumulate” in context.
Verb
01. accumulate debt
“Many students accumulate significant debt while pursuing their university degrees.”
verb + noun
02. accumulate evidence
“Detectives continued to accumulate evidence until they had a solid case against the suspect.”
verb + noun
03. accumulate wealth
“He spent his entire career trying to accumulate wealth, only to donate it all in retirement.”
verb + noun
04. gradually accumulate
“Dust will gradually accumulate on the shelves if they are not cleaned regularly.”
adv + verb
Noun
05. accumulation of data
“The rapid accumulation of data has transformed how companies understand consumer behavior.”
noun + of + noun
06. snow accumulates
“If the snow accumulates at this rate, the mountain passes will be closed by morning.”
noun + verb
Usage
The verb is both transitive and intransitive. When used intransitively, it describes a natural or passive buildup.
Real-World Examples
“Fluid runs along tiny channels beside the brain's blood vessels, washing away the waste products that accumulate during waking hours.” “If you do choose to take further leave, you can take up to 11 weeks, flexibly in weekly periods, which can be accumulated or interrupted, up until the child is one year old.” Etymology
First attested c. 1487; from Middle English accumylaten, borrowed from Latin accumulātus, perfect passive participle of accumulō (“to amass, pile up”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), formed from ad (“to, towards, at”) + cumulō (“to heap”), from cumulus (“a heap”) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix). Cognate with French accumuler.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/accumulate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0