accrue

verb

ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü 

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 me

—Germaine 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

ə-ˈkrü-ə-bəl 

adjective

accruement

ə-ˈkrü-mənt 

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

Even as the story accrues the heft of personal tragedy, each scene seems to float or bob. —Wesley Morris, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023

As under existing law, an employee will accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, beginning with the first day of employment. —Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023

But no summary captures the unease that accrues over 10 episodes of Fielder and Benny Safdie’s new series, which premieres Friday. —Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023

Having accrued fans all over the globe—and possibly in outer space, at this point—McDonald’s has turned toward rewarding customers through its digital app. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2023

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points are easy to accrue since the frequent flier program, like Flying Blue, is a partner of major credit card programs. —Ramsey Qubein, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2023

Interest on outstanding student loans began to accrue again in September. —Zach Montague, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023

As sure as the leaves will fall, Young’s stoop across from Eastern Market will be overflowing with gourds, drawing gawkers in real life and online, where the artist and interior designer’s Instagram posts accrue thousands of likes and reposts from around the world. —Jessica Contrera, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023

The many social benefits that might accrue from mercy were determined not to be worth the political risk. —Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2023

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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

Kids Definition

accrue

verb

ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü 

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 

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 injury

—National 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