accrue

verb

ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü How to pronounce accrue (audio)
accrued; accruing

intransitive verb

1
: to come into existence as a legally enforceable claim
2
a
: to come about as a natural growth, increase, or advantage
the wisdom that accrues with age
b
: to come as a direct result of some state or action
rewards due to the feminine will accrue to meGermaine Greer
3
: to accumulate or be added periodically
interest accrues on a daily basis

transitive verb

: to accumulate or have due after a period of time
accrue vacation time
accruable adjective
accruement noun

Examples of accrue in a Sentence

I'll get back all the money I invested, plus any interest and dividends that have accrued. investments that have accrued interest and dividends
Recent Examples on the Web Jackson County filed the liens on his property in May 2022 for delinquent land taxes of more than $23,600, with interest to accrue at the first of each month. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2024 The post, which has been viewed over 24 million times and accrued more than 13,000 retweets, sparked a firestorm of discourse about a reservation culture that is arguably the most charged and competitive it’s ever been. Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 29 Feb. 2024 Further, the outstanding balances do not accrue interest or late fees, consumers are not subject to debt collection, and people’s credit ratings are not impacted by these transactions. Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 With interest, the total amount Trump is currently on the hook for is just over $354 million, with post-judgment interest accruing at nearly $112,000 per day. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2024 Starting today, post-judgment interest also begins accruing at 9% per annum. Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024 This experience, which can be accrued before or after passing the CMA exam, must be completed within seven years. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Trump’s interest will keep accruing until Trump pays. Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 The two superstars, who are in something of a race with one another for various chart wins, have accrued a lucky 13 leaders on the Billboard 200. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accrue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acrewen, acruwen, probably borrowed from Anglo-French *acreue "increase," noun derivative from feminine of acreu, past participle of acreistre "to increase, grow," going back to Latin accrēscere, from ad- ad- + crēscere "to grow" — more at crescent entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of accrue was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near accrue

Cite this Entry

“Accrue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accrue. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accrue

verb
ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü How to pronounce accrue (audio)
accrued; accruing
1
: to come about as a natural growth or addition
benefits accrue to society from education
2
: to accumulate over a period of time
accrued interest
accrual
-ˈkrü-əl
noun

Legal Definition

accrue

verb
ac·​crue ə-ˈkrü How to pronounce accrue (audio)
accrued; accruing

intransitive verb

1
: to come into existence as an enforceable claim : vest as a right
action…does not accrue until the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known that he may have suffered injuryNational Law Journal

Note: Statutes of limitations begin to run when a cause of action accrues.

2
: to come by way of increase or addition : arise as a growth or result
usually used with to or from
advantages accruing to society from the freedom of the press
interest accrues to the seller as a result of the delay
3
: to be periodically accumulated in the process of time whether as an increase or a decrease
the accruing of taxes
allowing the receivable interest to accrue

transitive verb

1
: to accumulate or have due after a period of time
authorized by law to accrue leave in the maximum amount of 90 days
2
: to enter in the books as an accrual
Etymology

Middle French accreue increase, addition to a property, from feminine of accreu, past participle of acreistre to increase

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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