accumulate

verb

ac·​cu·​mu·​late ə-ˈkyü-m(y)ə-ˌlāt 

accumulated; accumulating

transitive verb

: to gather or pile up especially little by little : amass

accumulate a fortune

intransitive verb

: to increase gradually in quantity or number

snow accumulating to a depth of several feet

Synonyms of accumulate

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• expand
• swell

Examples of accumulate in a Sentence

Evidence of his guilt is accumulating.

the number of complaints about that mail order firm is really accumulating

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the relatively warmer pattern ahead, the chances for accumulating snow will be limited for some, or at least accumulating snow that lingers for an extended period of time, AccuWeather said. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

Empty the tank and dry the humidifier each day to keep bacteria and mold from accumulating. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2025

Level 2 snow emergency Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy. —Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2025

The company completed the first phase of piloted flight testing in 2024, accumulating extensive data across 20 flights and 70 test points. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin accumulātus, past participle of accumulāre "to heap up, add to, increase," from ad- ad- + cumulāre "to gather into a heap" — more at cumulate

Note: In part a Latinization of Middle French accumuler.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for accumulate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate
• ameliorate

Kids Definition

accumulate

verb

ac·​cu·​mu·​late ə-ˈkyü-myə-ˌlāt 

accumulated; accumulating

1

: to gather or pile up especially little by little : amass

accumulate a fortune

2

: to increase in quantity, number, or amount

rubbish accumulates quickly

Legal Definition

accumulate

verb

ac·​cu·​mu·​late

accumulated; accumulating

transitive verb

: to gather especially little by little

specifically : to add (income from a fund) back into the principal

intransitive verb

: to increase gradually in amount or number