accumulate
gb/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt/ us/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Gather or collect over time
To get more and more of something over time.
Usage pattern:
to accumulate [something] over [time period]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'accumulate' with 'calculate' because they sound similar but have unrelated meanings.
Synonyms
amass (Slightly more formal and often used for large quantities or wealth.)
|
collect (More general and can refer to an intentional act of gathering items.)
Antonyms
lose (Refers to having less of something instead of more.)
|
disperse (Means to spread out rather than gather together.)
Collocations
accumulate wealth
|accumulate debt
|accumulate experience
|accumulate knowledge
|accumulate evidence
Themes
business
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Over the years, she managed to accumulate a large collection of rare books.
- Dust can accumulate quickly if you don't clean regularly.
- He accumulated a lot of debt after losing his job.
- The scientist accumulated data from multiple experiments.
- They accumulated experience by working on different projects.
Learner examples
- I accumulate coins from different countries.
- She accumulates many books at home.
- We accumulate water in the tank.
- He accumulates stamps in an album.
- Dust accumulates on the table.
Verb
technical
B1
event
2
Increase naturally over time
To get bigger in amount without someone doing it directly.
Usage pattern:
[something] accumulates over [time period]
Synonyms
build up (Less formal, often used in everyday speech for gradual increase.)
Antonyms
decrease (Means to become smaller in amount or number.)
Collocations
snow accumulates
|interest accumulates
|fat accumulates
|data accumulates
Themes
science
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Snow accumulated on the roof overnight.
- Interest accumulates on the loan each month.
- Fat can accumulate in the liver if your diet is unhealthy.
- Dirt accumulated in the corners of the room.
Learner examples
- Snow accumulates on the ground.
- Interest accumulates in my bank account.
- Water accumulates in the bucket.
- Dust accumulates on the floor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
accumulate
IPA
GB/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt/
US/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ac - cu - mu - late (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cu)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: accumulate
- 3rd Person Singular: accumulates
- Present Participle: accumulating
- Past: accumulated
Word family
Forms
accumulates
verb
accumulating
verb
accumulated
verb
Core family
accumulation
noun B2
Related words
cumulative
adjective B2
cumulatively
adverb
Advanced or less common
accumulative
adjective
accumulator
noun
Expressions
accumulate debt
1/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt dˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Increase owed money over time
To owe more and more money as time goes on.
Examples
- She began to accumulate debt after losing her job.
- Students often accumulate debt during college.
accumulate experience
1/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt ɪkspˈɪɹiəns/
fixed phrase
Gain skills over time
To get more skills or knowledge over a period of time by doing things.
Examples
- He accumulated experience by working in different industries.
- You can accumulate experience through volunteer work.
accumulate wealth
1/əkjˈumjəlˌeɪt wˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
Gather money or assets over time
To get more and more money or valuable things over a period of time.
Examples
- He worked hard to accumulate wealth before retiring.
- Many people try to accumulate wealth through investments.