Word Family
acceleration (noun) — increase in speed
accelerated (adjective) — made faster
accelerator (noun) — device that increases speed
Core Definition
Accelerate is a verb meaning to increase speed, rate, or intensity, or to cause something to happen more quickly than before.
Key Examples
The car began to accelerate as the road cleared.
The company plans to accelerate production next year.
Technological advances have accelerated communication.
He accelerated his pace to keep up.
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
UK IPA: /əkˈsel.ə.reɪt/
US IPA: /əkˈsel.ə.reɪt/
Stress falls on the second syllable: ac-CEL-er-ate.
Common learner note: the first syllable is weak and reduced in natural speech.
Frequency & Register
CEFR: B2–C2
Register: neutral to formal; common in everyday, professional, and technical contexts
Extended Meaning
Accelerate goes beyond physical speed and often refers to change over time.
physical movement (accelerate a vehicle)
process speed (accelerate development or growth)
rate of change (accelerate progress or decline)
intentional action (decide to accelerate a plan)
Overall, the verb implies momentum and forward movement.
Usage Overview
Accelerate is used for both literal motion and abstract processes such as growth, learning, or change. It often appears in business, science, technology, and planning contexts.
The tone can be neutral, purposeful, or strategic depending on usage.
Grammar Notes
Accelerate is an intransitive and transitive verb.
intransitive
The car accelerated quickly.
transitive
They accelerated the schedule.
It commonly appears in active constructions.
Patterns
accelerate + noun
The company accelerated expansion.
accelerate at / to + rate
The vehicle accelerated to full speed.
accelerate through + process
The reform accelerated through parliament.
Collocations
accelerate growth
accelerate development
accelerate progress
accelerate change
accelerate production
accelerate pace
Innovation continues to accelerate progress.
Dialogues
Everyday
A: Why are you walking so fast?
B: I need to accelerate a bit or I’ll be late.
Practical
A: Can we finish this sooner?
B: Yes, we can accelerate the process.
Professional
A: How do we meet the deadline?
B: We’ll need to accelerate production.
Technical
A: What happens when pressure increases?
B: The reaction rate accelerates.
Stories
The car began to accelerate as traffic cleared. The sudden change in speed made the drive smoother and more efficient.
The startup decided to accelerate development after early success. Teams adjusted schedules and focused resources on core features. This helped the product reach the market sooner.
Technological change continued to accelerate across industries. What once took years now happened in months. Companies that adapted quickly gained momentum, while others struggled to keep up. Accelerating progress did not guarantee success, but resisting it often led to decline. Over time, speed became a defining factor of competitiveness.
Mini Test
The company plans to ______ growth next year.
Answer: accelerate
Choose the correct form:
The process began to ______ rapidly. (accelerate / acceleration)
Answer: accelerate
True or False: Accelerate only refers to physical speed.
Answer: False
Write one sentence using accelerate in a professional context.
Sample answer: The firm accelerated innovation to stay competitive.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
speed up — increase speed
hasten — make faster
advance — move forward
Antonyms
slow down — reduce speed
delay — cause to happen later
decelerate — reduce speed
Semantic Field
accelerate vs. speed up — formal vs. informal
accelerate vs. advance — rate vs. progress
accelerate vs. decelerate — increase vs. decrease in speed
FAQ
Is accelerate formal?
It is neutral and widely used in professional and technical contexts.
Can accelerate be used metaphorically?
Yes, it commonly describes abstract processes like growth or change.
Is accelerate transitive or intransitive?
It can be both, depending on context.
Conclusion
Accelerate describes the act of increasing speed, momentum, or rate of change. It applies to motion, processes, and progress, emphasizing forward movement and intensification.
“Progress does not happen by chance; it accelerates when intention meets action.”