Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To be added or gained over time, typically as a natural or periodic result. It often refers to financial benefits (like interest or income) or abstract things (like advantages or responsibilities) that gradually increase.
   • To come into being or possession as a growth or result. This meaning focuses on something that arises or becomes applicable from a particular source or condition.

Usage

• Accrue is commonly used in financial, legal, and formal contexts.
• It is an intransitive verb, so it does not take a direct object. The thing that increases is the subject of the verb. The source or beneficiary is often indicated with the prepositions from or to.
  • Interest accrues on the account. (The interest is the subject that grows.)
  • Benefits accrue from long-term investment.
  • The right accrues to the property owner.

Examples

• Financial Context:
  • Interest will continue to accrue on the loan until it is fully repaid.
  • Paid time off accrues at a rate of one day per month.
• General/Abstract Context:
  • Significant experience accrued during her years working abroad.
  • Several advantages accrue from this new method.

Advanced Usage

• "Accrue to": To come into the possession or benefit of someone or something.
  • All royalties from the book accrue to the author's estate.
• Past Participle as Adjective ("Accrued"): Used to describe something that has been accumulated over time but is not yet realized or paid.
  • The company's balance sheet shows accrued expenses and accrued interest.

Variants and Related Words

• Accrual (noun): The act or process of accruing, or an amount that has accrued.
  • The accrual of interest is calculated daily.
• Accrued (adjective): Having been accumulated over a period.
  • She received payment for her accrued vacation days.

Synonyms

• Accumulate: To gather or build up over time.
• Amass: To collect a large quantity of something.
• Build up: To increase gradually in amount or intensity.
• Grow: To increase in size or amount.

Antonyms

• Dwindle: To diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength.
• Decrease: To become smaller or fewer in size, amount, or intensity.
• Diminish: To make or become less.

Related Phrases

• Accrued interest: Interest that has been earned on a sum of money but has not yet been paid or credited.
• Accrued benefit: A pension or other benefit that an employee has earned based on service to date.

Verb

1. come into the possession of
   • The house accrued to the oldest son
2. grow by addition
   • The interest accrues