accelerate
uk-SEL-uh-rayt
/əkˈsɛləreɪt/
To increase speed or cause a vehicle to move faster.
Implies deliberate increasing rate of speed or physical pedal pressure.
The story behind the word. Latin accelerare combined ad- (toward) and celer (swift). It was brought into English in the 16th century to describe quickening any process, and in 1899 became the natural term for stepping on an automobile throttle.
Word relationships
- speed up: Speed up is conversational; accelerate is standard technical and formal vocabulary.
- hasten: Hasten applies to actions or processes rather than vehicle pedal operation.
- decelerate: Decelerate means decreasing speed or slowing down.
- brake: Brake means applying friction to slow or stop motion.
Commonly confused with
- accumulate: Accumulate means gathering or building up quantity, not speed.
Word family
- acceleration (noun): The rate of change of velocity.
- accelerator (noun): The pedal controlling engine throttle.
Collocations
- accelerate rapidly
- press to accelerate
- accelerate smoothly
Idioms & expressions
- foot on the accelerator
Example sentences
- "As you depress the pedal, the car will accelerate smoothly down the ramp." Automotive Digest
- "You must accelerate on the entrance ramp so you match highway speeds." Highway merging
Memory hook
ACCELERATE = Add CELERity (swiftness) to your rate of speed! Accelerate = Push the gas pedal.
When not to use
Don't use when speed remains constant or when referring to simple movement without speed increase.
Fun facts
- In physics, acceleration includes any change in velocity—so even steering around a corner at constant speed is technically acceleration!
Related words
Explore more words
Acceleration, catalyze, decelerate, escalate, intensify, catalyst
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