Accumulate vs. Accrue: What's the Difference?
Accumulate means to gather or amass over time, while accrue refers to the growth of something, often financial, by periodic additions or natural growth.
Key Differences
Accumulate and Accrue are both verbs that indicate a growth or increase in quantity. The word "Accumulate" directly signifies the collection or buildup of items, resources, or quantities over a period of time. On the other hand, "Accrue" pertains to the gradual growth or accumulation, especially of financial benefits or obligations, typically through periodic additions or natural processes.
While "Accumulate" is a general term and can be used in a range of contexts from collecting objects to gathering knowledge, "Accrue" is commonly associated with financial or formal contexts. For instance, one might accumulate books or knowledge, while interest might accrue on a loan or savings account.
Another distinguishing feature between the two is the speed or manner of growth. Accumulation can happen rapidly or slowly, but it often implies a conscious effort to gather or increase. In contrast, accruing generally implies a more passive or natural progression, where the growth is a result of predefined conditions or set parameters.
Furthermore, "Accumulate" can be used to refer to both tangible and intangible items, like accumulating wealth or experience. "Accrue", however, is primarily used in reference to benefits or amounts that are due or owed, like accruing interest or benefits.
Lastly, while both words can be used in positive and negative contexts, "Accrue" can often have a neutral or formal tone, particularly when used in financial or legal discussions. "Accumulate", meanwhile, is versatile in its usage and tone, suitable for a wider range of contexts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Meaning
To gather or amass over time.
To grow, especially by periodic additions.
Common Contexts
Tangible and intangible items.
Primarily financial or formal.
Growth Manner
Can be rapid or slow, often with effort.
Gradual, often natural or passive.
Tone
Versatile, can be positive or negative.
Neutral or formal, especially in financial contexts.
Examples
Accumulate points, knowledge.
Accrue interest, benefits.
ADVERTISEMENT
Accumulate and Accrue Definitions
Accumulate
To result in an increase of something.
The company's profits accumulate with every successful project.
Accrue
To accumulate or be received periodically, especially as a benefit or interest.
Interest will accrue on the outstanding balance.
Accumulate
To grow or increase in number or quantity.
Over the years, he accumulated a vast collection of rare coins.
Accrue
To be added or attached, especially as a right or advantage.
The benefits that accrue with seniority.
Accumulate
To amass or build up, especially gradually.
She continues to accumulate accolades for her performance.
Accrue
To result from or as a natural growth or addition.
Benefits accrue from regular exercise.
Accumulate
To come together or converge in one place.
Rainwater tends to accumulate in the hollow.
Accrue
To come into one's possession as a gain or increase.
Vacation days accrue over time.
Accumulate
To gather or cause to increase; amass
We accumulated enough wood for a fire. Nearly all bank accounts accumulate interest.
Accrue
To accumulate over a period without the active effort.
Late fees may accrue if payment is delayed.
Accumulate
To be the site for (a gradually increasing mass), especially as a result of disuse or neglect
Those old books are accumulating dust.
Accrue
To come to one as a gain, addition, or increment
Interest accruing in my savings account.
Accumulate
To mount or pile up; increase
Snow is accumulating on the roads.
Accrue
To increase, accumulate, or come about as a result of growth
Common sense that accrues with experience.
Accumulate
(transitive) To heap up in a mass; to pile up; to collect or bring together (either literally or figuratively)
He wishes to accumulate a sum of money.
Accrue
To come into existence as a claim that is legally enforceable.
Accumulate
(intransitive) To gradually grow or increase in quantity or number.
With her company going bankrupt, her divorce, and a gambling habit, debts started to accumulate so she had to sell her house.
Accrue
To accumulate over time
I have accrued 15 days of sick leave.
Accumulate
To take a higher degree at the same time with a lower degree, or at a shorter interval than usual.
Accrue
(intransitive) To increase, to rise
Accumulate
Collected; accumulated.
Accrue
(intransitive) To reach or come to by way of increase; to arise or spring up because of growth or result, especially as the produce of money lent.
Accumulate
To heap up in a mass; to pile up; to collect or bring together; to amass; as, to accumulate a sum of money.
Accrue
To be incurred as a result of the passage of time.
The monthly financial statements show all the actual but only some of the accrued expenses.
Accumulate
To grow or increase in quantity or number; to increase greatly.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.
Accrue
(transitive) To accumulate.
He has accrued nine sick days.
Accumulate
Collected; accumulated.
Accrue
To become an enforceable and permanent right.
Accumulate
Get or gather together;
I am accumulating evidence for the man's unfaithfulness to his wife
She is amassing a lot of data for her thesis
She rolled up a small fortune
Accrue
(obsolete) Something that accrues; advantage accruing
Accumulate
Collect or gather;
Journals are accumulating in my office
The work keeps piling up
Accrue
To increase; to augment.
And though power failed, her courage did accrue.
Accumulate
To gather or collect over a period of time.
I hope to accumulate enough savings for a new car.
Accrue
To come to by way of increase; to arise or spring as a growth or result; to be added as increase, profit, or damage, especially as the produce of money lent.
The great and essential advantages accruing to society from the freedom of the press.
Accrue
Something that accrues; advantage accruing.
Accrue
Grow by addition;
The interest accrues
Accrue
Come into the possession of;
The house accrued to the oldest son
FAQs
What does "Accumulate" generally mean?
"Accumulate" means to gather or amass items or quantities over a period of time.
How is "accrue" different from regular growth?
"Accrue" often implies a more specific, systematic, or periodic form of growth, especially in formal or financial contexts.
Can penalties "accrue" for late payments?
Yes, penalties can accrue on late payments based on the terms set.
Is "Accrue" limited to financial contexts?
While often used financially, "accrue" can also refer to any gain over time, like accruing benefits or rights.
Can I say I've "accumulated" experiences on a trip?
Yes, experiences, like many other things, can accumulate over time or during specific activities.
How is "Accrue" commonly used in financial terms?
"Accrue" often refers to the growth of something, especially financial, by periodic additions or natural growth, such as interest accruing on a loan.
Can "Accumulate" be used for intangible items?
Yes, one can accumulate knowledge, experience, or even feelings over time.
If I save money in a bank, does the interest "accumulate" or "accrue"?
Both can be used, but it's more common to say interest "accrues" in banking contexts.
Is "Accumulate" always used in positive contexts?
No, "accumulate" is neutral and can be used in both positive (accumulate wealth) and negative (accumulate debt) situations.
If benefits "accrue," does it mean they're immediately available?
Not necessarily. Benefits that accrue might become available after specific conditions are met, like after a certain period.
What's the difference in connotation between "Accumulate" and "Accrue"?
"Accumulate" often implies active gathering, while "accrue" implies more passive, often natural, growth.
Can a person "accumulate" a reputation?
Yes, a reputation can be accumulated based on one's actions and experiences over time.
Are there any synonyms for "accrue" in a financial sense?
"Compound" can be a synonym when discussing interest, as in "interest accruing or compounding over time."
In legal terms, can rights "accrue" over time?
Yes, rights or benefits can accrue based on conditions met or time passed.
Can you "accumulate" knowledge?
Definitely, knowledge can be accumulated through experiences, education, and continuous learning.
Can I use "accumulate" to describe growing emotions?
Absolutely, emotions like stress or joy can accumulate over time.
How does "accumulate" relate to frequency?
"Accumulate" doesn't specify frequency; it just indicates a buildup over time, which can be rapid or slow.
