verb
amass
uh-MAS
Amass (verb) means to gather a large amount of something over time, often wealth, possessions, or information. Example: “He amassed a small fortune trading stocks in his twenties.”
verb
1
To gather a large amount of something over time, often wealth, possessions, or information.
"He amassed a small fortune trading stocks in his twenties."
"The library has amassed thousands of rare manuscripts over the centuries."
How to use amass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo build up a large quantity of something, usually gradually.
Common mistake
Amass almost always takes an object (you amass something) — it describes accumulation, not just growing on its own.
Common pairings
amass wealth
amass evidence
amass a fortune
amass followers
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Word forms
- Plural
- amasses
- Third person singular
- amasses
- Past tense
- amassed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ a small fortune trading stocks in his twenties.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman amasser, ultimately from Latin ad- ("to") plus massa ("lump, mass") — the same root as "mass".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “amass” mean?
The word “amass” means to gather a large amount of something over time, often wealth, possessions, or information. In plain terms, to build up a large quantity of something, usually gradually.
How do you pronounce “amass”?
“Amass” is pronounced uh-MAS (/əˈmæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “amass” in a sentence?
Here is “amass” used in a sentence: “He amassed a small fortune trading stocks in his twenties.”
What is another word for “amass”?
Words with a similar meaning to “amass” include mound, pile, pile up, stack up, amound and collect.
What is the opposite of “amass”?
The opposite of “amass” — its antonyms — are declutter, distribute and unhoard.
What part of speech is “amass”?
“Amass” is a verb.
Where does the word “amass” come from?
The word “amass” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman amasser, ultimately from Latin ad- ("to") plus massa ("lump, mass") — the same root as "mass".
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