accrue

UK: /əˈkruː/ US: /əˈkru/ ,(ə kro̅o̅′)

Inflections of 'accrue' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

accrues

v 3rd person singular

accruing

v pres p

accrued

v past

accrued

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ac•crue /əˈkru/   v., -crued, -cru•ing. 

1. to grow or increase over time, esp. by adding gradually:
   [no object] The interest accrued at 6% a year.
2. to collect and allow to accumulate:
   [~ + object] She accrued some fine paintings.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ac•crue  (ə kro̅o̅′), v.i., -crued, -cru•ing. 

1. to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc.
2. to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money.
3. Law to become a present and enforceable right or demand.

• Latin accrēscere grow. See ac-, crew¹, accretion
• Anglo-French accru(e), Middle French accreu(e), past participle of ac(c)reistre to increase
• late Middle English acruen, acrewen, probably 1425–75

ac•cru′a•ble, adj. 
ac•crue′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. accumulate, collect, grow, increase.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. dwindle, decrease, diminish, lessen, dissipate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

accrue, accrew / əˈkruː/ verb ( -crues, -cruing, -crued)(intransitive)

1. to increase by growth or addition, esp (of capital) to increase by periodic addition of interest
2. (often followed by to) to fall naturally (to); come into the possession (of); result (for)

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French accreue growth, ultimately from Latin accrēscere to increase, from ad- to, in addition + crēscere to grow