Accumulate
As a Verb
- To gradually collect or gather something over time.
- To increase in quantity or amount, often over a period.
- To store up or pile up things, such as wealth, knowledge, or objects.
As Other Form
- Accumulation (Noun): The process of collecting or gathering things over time.
- Accumulative (Adjective): Tending to accumulate or increase over time.
Word History
The word accumulate comes from the Latin accumulare, meaning “to heap up” or “to pile up.” It combines ad- (to) and cumulare (to heap), which is derived from cumulus (a heap or pile). Over time, the word evolved to describe both physical and abstract gathering, like accumulating wealth or knowledge.
Examples
- Over the years, dust began to accumulate on the old bookshelf.
- He accumulated a vast fortune through smart investments.
- Knowledge accumulates with experience and continuous learning.
Synonyms
Gather, collect, amass, pile up, stockpile
Related Words
Increase, build up, acquire, store
Antonyms
Disperse, deplete, diminish, reduce
