accumulate

5 definitions • 10 examples

to collect a large number of things over a long period of time:

As people accumulate more wealth, they tend to spend a greater proportion of their incomes.

The company said the debt was accumulated during its acquisition of nine individual businesses.

We've accumulated so much rubbish over the years.

to gradually increase in number or amount:

A thick layer of dust had accumulated in the room.

If you don't go through the papers on your desk on a regular basis, they just keep on accumulating.

to collect or increase something gradually, esp. over a period of time:

[ T ] We’ve accumulated a lot of junk over the years.

[ T ] He accumulated a fortune in the music business.

to gradually increase in amount:

While the deficit was allowed to accumulate, nothing was done to address the problem.

to collect an amount of something over a period of time:

The table shows what you need to save monthly to accumulate $1 million by age 65.

accumulate/debts/losses/wealth The report also said a further 90,000 households had accumulated wealth of more than £1m.