Accumulated: meaning, definitions and examples

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accumulated

 

[əˈkjuːmjʊleɪtɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

finance

To gradually gather or acquire over time, typically in a financial context.

Synonyms

amass, collect, gather, stockpile.

Examples of usage

  • The company accumulated a large amount of debt over the years.
  • She accumulated a substantial amount of savings through careful investment.
  • We need to accumulate more data before drawing any conclusions.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To gather or pile up, especially in a gradual or steady way.

Synonyms

build up, collect, gather, pile up.

Examples of usage

  • Dust had accumulated on the shelves over the years.
  • Snow had accumulated on the roof, causing it to collapse.
  • He accumulated a vast collection of books over his lifetime.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'accumulare,' which means 'to heap up' or 'to pile together.'
  • It was used in the English language by the late 15th century, often in financial contexts discussing wealth.
  • The prefix 'ac-' means 'toward,' and 'cumulo-' refers to a 'heap,' combining to convey the idea of building up.

Psychology

  • Accumulated experiences, both positive and negative, can impact our behavior and decision-making processes.
  • Cognitive load theory suggests that accumulated knowledge can either help or hinder learning, depending on how well it's structured.
  • Emotional accumulation refers to how past experiences shape our present feelings and reactions.

Environment

  • Accumulated waste in ecosystems is a major environmental concern, affecting wildlife and natural resources.
  • Soil quality improves with accumulated organic matter, which feeds plants and supports healthy ecosystems.
  • In climate science, greenhouse gases have accumulated over decades, leading to global temperature changes.

Finance

  • In personal finance, accumulated savings can lead to greater investments and future financial security.
  • The concept of interest involves accumulated amounts over time, where money earns interest on principal amounts.
  • In investments, accumulated returns can significantly boost wealth through compound effects over years.

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters often reflect on their accumulated wisdom or regrets as a central theme.
  • Many authors use the idea of accumulated knowledge to develop characters' arcs and the narratives of growth.
  • Symbolically, physical accumulation in stories often mirrors emotional or relational growth in character development.

Translations

Translations of the word "accumulated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acumulado

🇮🇳 संचित

🇩🇪 angesammelt

🇮🇩 terkumpul

🇺🇦 накопичений

🇵🇱 nagromadzony

🇯🇵 蓄積された

🇫🇷 accumulé

🇪🇸 acumulado

🇹🇷 birikmiş

🇰🇷 축적된

🇸🇦 متراكم

🇨🇿 nahromaděný

🇸🇰 nahromadený

🇨🇳 积累的

🇸🇮 nakopičen

🇮🇸 safnað

🇰🇿 жиналған

🇬🇪 დაგროვილი

🇦🇿 yığılan

🇲🇽 acumulado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,553, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.