accrual

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cru·​al ə-ˈkrü-əl 

1

: the action or process of accruing something

money gained by the accrual of interest

2

: something that accrues or has accrued

an employee's vacation accruals

accrual

2 of 2

adjective

: relating to or being a method of accounting that recognizes income when earned and expenses when incurred regardless of when cash is received or disbursed (see disburse sense 1a) compare cash entry 2

Synonyms of accrual

Noun

• increase
• gain
• addition
• boost

Examples of accrual in a Sentence

Noun

had an accrual of $100 through interest on my savings account last year

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This accrual is most pronounced in the neurons of the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative effects. —Kristel Tjandra, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026

Welsh said his review determined that Legacy Professionals performed the Boilermakers audits according to Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, examining union credit card expenses, salaries, reimbursements to employees and vacation accruals. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2026

Adjective

And one of the core features of RAP is a generous subsidy that waives any excess interest on a rolling monthly basis for borrowers whose student loan payments aren’t high enough to cover all the interest accrual. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Ultimately, Jain apologized and Bilt provided a second point-accrual option within days. —Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

accrue + -al entry 2

Adjective

derivative of accrual entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for accrual

• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel
• gruel
• jewel
• newel
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual

Legal Definition

accrual

noun

ac·​cru·​al ə-ˈkrü-əl 

1

: the action or process of accruing

claim must be brought within two years of the date of accrual

2

a

: something that accrues

especially : an amount of money that periodically accumulates for a specific purpose (as payment of taxes or interest)

b

: something that has accrued during a specified period