Vocabulary Spotlight
Accelerate
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To increase in speed or to cause something to happen sooner or more quickly.
“The company plans to accelerate its expansion into new markets.”
Pronunciation
[ak-sel-uh-reyt]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Quickly
Expedite
Advance
Speed up
Antonyms
Slow down
Delay
Halt
Retard
Related Words
Accelerator (noun)
Word Origin
“Accelerate” comes from the Latin “accelerare,” combining “ad-” (toward) and “celerare” (to hasten). It entered English in the 16th century, meaning to hasten or quicken a process.
Word Family
Noun: Acceleration – The increase in the speed or rate of something.
Noun: Accelerator – Something that causes acceleration, such as a pedal in a car.
Mnemonics
Think of “Ac-cel-erate” as “Ace-celerate” – speeding up to reach top performance or “ace” a goal.
Industry-specific Usage
Automotive
In cars, the accelerator pedal controls speed, allowing the vehicle to accelerate or decelerate as needed.
Business
In business, accelerating growth often refers to speeding up sales, production, or market entry.
Physics
In physics, acceleration is a measure of how quickly an object changes its velocity over time.
In Context
“Accelerate” is commonly used in both physical and metaphorical contexts to describe speeding up processes, whether in vehicles, business, or technological development. It conveys urgency and forward motion.