accelerate
ak-SEL-uh-reyt
/əkˈseləreɪt/
To begin to move more quickly; to increase in rate or amount.
Focuses on the change in speed rather than the speed itself.
The story behind the word. Formed from the Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'celer' (swift). It literally means 'to add swiftness'. It was used in physics long before it became a common word for driving.
Word relationships
- hasten: Hasten is more literary and often refers to human actions; accelerate is more technical.
- decelerate: Decelerate is the direct technical opposite (to slow down).
Commonly confused with
- speed up: Speed up is the informal phrasal verb; accelerate is the formal/technical term.
Word family
- acceleration (noun): The act of increasing speed.
- accelerator (noun): A device (like a pedal) that increases speed.
Collocations
- accelerate growth
- accelerate progress
- accelerate the process
Example sentences
- "The car can accelerate from zero to sixty in just four seconds." Driving.
- "The pandemic served to accelerate the shift toward remote work." Social change.
Memory hook
Think of the 'accelerator' pedal in a car—you press it to add speed. Accelerate = Add speed.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean 'to go fast'; it means 'to go faster'.
Fun facts
- In physics, acceleration can also mean a change in direction, even if the speed stays the same.
Explore more words
Acceleration, catalyze, decelerate, escalate, intensify, catalyst
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