accumulate — to gradually gather or collect something over a period of time
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to gradually gather or collect something over a period of time
Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈkjuːmjəleɪt/
Example Sentences
- My mom has been accumulating cooking shows on her phone for 3 years, but she still burns ramen.
- Students accumulate stress during exam periods.
- His desk accumulated so much paperwork that archaeologists might find dinosaur fossils underneath.
accumulate
VERB[/əˈkjuːmjəleɪt/]
to gradually gather or collect something over a period of time
Snow accumulated on the roof throughout the night.
The children accumulated a giant tower by adding one cube each day. (A CUBE + LATE → one cube at a time becomes a huge tower)
The students accumulated points, which stimulated their excitement, and eventually they celebrated.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin accumulare, derived from ad- (toward) and cumulus (heap, pile), literally meaning 'to heap up' or 'to pile upon'. The word originated from the practical Roman practice of stacking grain and goods systematically in storage facilities.
Breakdown
ad- (to, toward) + cumulus (heap, pile) + -ate (verb-forming suffix). The prefix ad- indicates direction or addition, cumulus denotes a mass or heap, and -ate converts the term into a verb meaning 'to gather into heaps'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom has been accumulating cooking shows on her phone for 3 years, but she still burns ramen.”
“Students accumulate stress during exam periods.”
“His desk accumulated so much paperwork that archaeologists might find dinosaur fossils underneath.”
“The company has accumulated significant profits this quarter.”
“Snow began to accumulate on the mountains.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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