accumulate
/əˈkjumjəˌleɪt/
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Type
Verb
Meaning
To gather or acquire an increasing quantity of something over time.
Over the years, she managed to accumulate a vast collection of rare books.
How much debt have you accumulated since starting college?
To gradually increase in amount or volume over time.
Dust quickly accumulates on the shelves if they are not cleaned regularly.
Snow had begun to accumulate on the driveway overnight.
How it's used
When this means “gather something over time”
- accumulate debt
“accumulated it.”
The company accumulated enormous debt during the expansion.
When this means “build up naturally”
- snow accumulates
Snow accumulates quickly in the mountain passes during winter.
Collocations
- accumulate wealth
- accumulate evidence
- accumulate points
- accumulate over time
- dust accumulates
Antonyms
- dissipate
- squander
- dwindle