accrue

verb

ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü How to pronounce accrue (audio)
accrued; accruing

intransitive verb

1
: to come into existence as a legally enforceable claim
2
a
: to come about as a natural growth, increase, or advantage
the wisdom that accrues with age
b
: to come as a direct result of some state or action
rewards due to the feminine will accrue to meGermaine Greer
3
: to accumulate or be added periodically
interest accrues on a daily basis

transitive verb

: to accumulate or have due after a period of time
accrue vacation time
accruable adjective
accruement noun

Examples of accrue in a Sentence

I'll get back all the money I invested, plus any interest and dividends that have accrued. investments that have accrued interest and dividends
Recent Examples on the Web During the forbearance, borrowers will not have to make payments on their federal student loans, and their balances will not accrue interest. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The couple has accrued more than $275,000 in IRS debt since 2010, including a lien levied last year for $25,742.37 that stemmed from unpaid taxes from 2012, according to Riverside County tax records. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024 The agreement is expected to generate substantial global economic gains, the majority of which will accrue to low- and middle-income countries. Kristen Hopewell, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2024 Although interest still accrued on their balances, missed payments did not damage their credit. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accrue 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accrue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acrewen, acruwen, probably borrowed from Anglo-French *acreue "increase," noun derivative from feminine of acreu, past participle of acreistre "to increase, grow," going back to Latin accrēscere, from ad- ad- + crēscere "to grow" — more at crescent entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of accrue was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near accrue

Cite this Entry

“Accrue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accrue. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

accrue

verb
ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü How to pronounce accrue (audio)
accrued; accruing
1
: to come about as a natural growth or addition
benefits accrue to society from education
2
: to accumulate over a period of time
accrued interest
accrual
-ˈkrü-əl
noun

Legal Definition

accrue

verb
ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü How to pronounce accrue (audio)
accrued; accruing

intransitive verb

1
: to come into existence as an enforceable claim : vest as a right
action…does not accrue until the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known that he may have suffered injuryNational Law Journal

Note: Statutes of limitations begin to run when a cause of action accrues.

2
: to come by way of increase or addition : arise as a growth or result
usually used with to or from
advantages accruing to society from the freedom of the press
interest accrues to the seller as a result of the delay
3
: to be periodically accumulated in the process of time whether as an increase or a decrease
the accruing of taxes
allowing the receivable interest to accrue

transitive verb

1
: to accumulate or have due after a period of time
authorized by law to accrue leave in the maximum amount of 90 days
2
: to enter in the books as an accrual
Etymology

Middle French accreue increase, addition to a property, from feminine of accreu, past participle of acreistre to increase

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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