verb
accumulate
uh-KYOOM-yuu-layt
verb
1
To gradually gather or build up over time.
"Dust had accumulated on the shelves after months of neglect."
"She accumulated a large amount of debt while she was a student."
How to Use Accumulate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo build up little by little until there's a large amount.
Common pairings
accumulate wealth
accumulate debt
accumulate over time
Word Forms
accumulated past tense, accumulates singular
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Dust had _____ on the shelves after months of neglect.
Etymology
From Latin accumulare, "to heap up," from ad- ("to") plus cumulus ("a heap") — the same root behind "cumulus" clouds.