accrete
/əˈkriːt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
If things accrete, they gradually build up or grow together over time. It is often used in formal or scientific writing.
- Sediment accreted along the riverbank.
- The company accreted new branches over the years.
- Layers of dust accreted on the shelf.
Adinary Nuance
Accrete is more formal and slower than accumulate. Use accrete when something builds up by adding layers or joining pieces over time, often in science or formal writing. Accumulate is broader and more common in everyday English. Grow is simpler, but it does not always suggest gradual building in layers.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tích tụ
- Spanish
- acrecentarse
- Chinese
- 累积
- Japanese
- 付加成長する
- Korean
- 부착 성장하다
Etymology
From Latin accretus, past participle of accrescere, meaning “to grow to” or “increase.” It entered English through scientific and formal writing.
Common phrases
accrete over timeaccrete around somethingaccrete into a larger mass
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is accrete a common everyday word?
- No, it is fairly formal and more common in academic or scientific writing.
- What is the difference between accrete and accumulate?
- Accrete suggests gradual building by layers or joining parts. Accumulate is broader and more general.
- Can I use accrete in speaking?
- Yes, but it may sound formal or technical in casual conversation.