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

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

Another common mistake is assuming that your final paycheck’s bonuses, vacation accruals, or final contributions will automatically be credited to your ESOP account. —Joshua Harmon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

The Smithland Rewards program accruals will be terminated effective May 12, 2025. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025

Adjective

Here’s the latest, and what borrowers should know about student loan interest accrual during these turbulent times. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Costco saw a slight margin headwind related to a one-time vacation accrual impact from a new employee agreement effective in March. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 May 2025

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

• nonfuel
• refuel
• renewal
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• cruel
• dual
• duel
• fuel

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