- 1[transitive] accumulate something to gradually get more and more of something over a period of time synonym amass I seem to have accumulated a lot of books. By investing wisely she accumulated a fortune. We have accumulated a great amount of evidence. Thesauruscollect
- gather
- accumulate
- amass
- collect to bring things or information together from different people or places; to gradually increase in amount in a place:We've been collecting data from various sources. Dirt had collected in the corners of the room. People sometimes collect things of a particular type as a hobby:to collect stamps
- gather to bring things together that have been spread around; to collect information from different sources:I waited while he gathered up his papers. Detectives have spent months gathering evidence.
- Both collect and gather can be used in the same way to talk about bringing together data, information, or evidence. When talking about things, gather is used with words like things, belongings, or papers when the things are spread around within a short distance. Collect is used for getting examples of something from different people or places that are physically separated.
- accumulate (somewhat formal) to gradually get more and more of something over a period of time; to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time :I seem to have accumulated a lot of books. Debts began to accumulate.
- amass (somewhat formal) to collect something in large quantities, especially money, debts, or information:He amassed a fortune from silver mining.
- to collect/gather/accumulate/amass data/evidence/information
- to accumulate/amass a fortune/debts
- dirt/dust/debris collects/accumulates
- to gradually/slowly collect/gather/accumulate (something)
- 2[intransitive] to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time synonym build up (to something) Debts began to accumulate. Dust and dirt will accumulate if you do not clean regularly. Thesauruscollect
- gather
- accumulate
- amass
- collect to bring things or information together from different people or places; to gradually increase in amount in a place:We've been collecting data from various sources. Dirt had collected in the corners of the room. People sometimes collect things of a particular type as a hobby:to collect stamps
- gather to bring things together that have been spread around; to collect information from different sources:I waited while he gathered up his papers. Detectives have spent months gathering evidence.
- Both collect and gather can be used in the same way to talk about bringing together data, information, or evidence. When talking about things, gather is used with words like things, belongings, or papers when the things are spread around within a short distance. Collect is used for getting examples of something from different people or places that are physically separated.
- accumulate (somewhat formal) to gradually get more and more of something over a period of time; to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time :I seem to have accumulated a lot of books. Debts began to accumulate.
- amass (somewhat formal) to collect something in large quantities, especially money, debts, or information:He amassed a fortune from silver mining.
- to collect/gather/accumulate/amass data/evidence/information
- to accumulate/amass a fortune/debts
- dirt/dust/debris collects/accumulates
- to gradually/slowly collect/gather/accumulate (something)
verb jump to other results
NAmE//əˈkyumyəˌleɪt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they accumulate he / she / it accumulates
past simple accumulated
-ing form accumulating
NAmE//əˌkyumyəˈleɪʃn//
noun [uncountable, countable] the accumulation of wealth an accumulation of toxic chemicalsSee accumulate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: accumulate