build up

1 of 2

verb

built up; building up; builds up

transitive verb

1

: to develop gradually by increments

building up endurance

built up a library

2

: to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of

intransitive verb

: to accumulate or develop appreciably

builder-upper

ˈbil-dər-ˈə-pər 

noun

builder-upper

2 of 2

noun

build·​er-up·​per ¦bil-dər-¦ə-pər 

: one that builds up

an occasional change is a great builder-upper of morale

Synonyms of build up

Verb

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• roll up

Examples of build up in a Sentence

Verb

static electricity built up on the cat's fur

the roller coaster built up momentum

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This was building up and the layoffs [of Simon and others] is just what sparked it. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

The post-wash rub will help the oil build up over time, which keeps the pan non-stick and from rusting. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026

Loeffler explains that smoke and food grease can slowly build up on the smoker's surfaces and create odors. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 4 June 2026

That gives players time to power up their gear to protected ice attacks and build up gear emphasizing Thunder, Fire and Dragon elements that can deal more damage. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for build up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

buildup

noun

build·​up ˈbil-ˌdəp 

1

: something produced by building up

2

: the act or process of building up