accelerate
Definitions
To move faster, or to make something move or happen faster
加速，加快
To cause a process or development to happen sooner or more quickly
促使（进程）加快、提前
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedac- (a form of ad-, 'to') + celer (swift) + -ate (verb) = to add swiftness, make faster. The 'd' of ad- assimilated into the double 'c.' Used both literally (the car accelerated) and figuratively (accelerate growth, accelerate a plan).
Root cel still carries 7 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.accelerate growth加快增长
- 2.accelerate the process加快进程
- 3.rapidly accelerate迅速加速
Example Sentences
- 1.
The car accelerated smoothly onto the highway.
- 2.
New funding could accelerate the project.
- 3.
Warmer oceans accelerate the melting of ice.
Easily Confused
accelerate vs speed up — Same idea; accelerate is the formal/technical word (used in physics, business, driving instruction), speed up is the everyday phrasal verb. You 'accelerate growth' in a report but 'speed things up' in conversation. The opposite of accelerate is decelerate (or 'slow down').