Amass: meaning, definitions and examples

Amass is often used when talking about gathering a large quantity of something, especially over a long period of time. It can be physical objects, wealth, or information.

• He managed to amass a fortune by investing wisely
• Over the years, she has amassed a vast collection of vintage books

Accumulate is typically used when referring to a gradual increase in quantity, often stressing the process rather than the result.

• Dust can quickly accumulate if you don’t clean regularly
• Over time, they accumulated enough experience to start their own business

Gather is used both in the sense of bringing things or people together. It may emphasize the act of bringing things to one place sporadically or for an event.

• The family will gather around the table for Thanksgiving dinner
• They need to gather materials for the school project

Collect is often used when one intentionally gathers items, often as a hobby or for a specific purpose.

• She loves to collect stamps from different countries
• They have collected data from various sources for their research

Used when referring to collecting large amounts of valuable or important items over a long period of time.

• He managed to amass a fortune by investing wisely
• She amasses rare antiques from all over the world

Typically used in more general situations when referring to the gradual collection of any items, not necessarily valuable, over time.

• Over the years, they accumulated a lot of junk in their garage
• She has accumulated a lot of experience in the field

Often used in contexts where something is gradually increasing or improving over time, can imply both positive or negative growth.

• They have built up a strong network of contacts
• Tension began to build up between the coworkers

Commonly used when referring to physically collecting items or people together in one place or when referring to intangible things like information or thoughts.

• He gathered all the tools he needed for the project
• They gathered in the park for the annual festival
• She gathered her thoughts before speaking