adjective
Uncommon
cumulative
KYOOM-yuu-luh-tihv
Cumulative (adjective) means increasing or building up in stages, with each addition adding to what came before. Example: “The cumulative effect of years of small savings added up to a comfortable retirement.”
adjective
1
Increasing or building up in stages, with each addition adding to what came before.
"The cumulative effect of years of small savings added up to a comfortable retirement."
"His cumulative GPA improved every semester."
"The cumulative total grew a little with every payment we made."
How to use cumulative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBuilding up gradually through a series of additions, so the total keeps growing.
Common pairings
cumulative effect
cumulative total
cumulative impact
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more cumulative
- Superlative
- most cumulative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ effect of years of small savings added up to a comfortable retirement.
Etymology
From Latin cumulare, "to heap up," from cumulus, "a heap" — the same root behind the cloud type "cumulus."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cumulative
See all rhymes for cumulative →Frequently asked questions
What does “cumulative” mean?
The word “cumulative” means increasing or building up in stages, with each addition adding to what came before. In plain terms, building up gradually through a series of additions, so the total keeps growing.
How do you pronounce “cumulative”?
“Cumulative” is pronounced KYOOM-yuu-luh-tihv (/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cumulative” in a sentence?
Here is “cumulative” used in a sentence: “The cumulative effect of years of small savings added up to a comfortable retirement.”
What part of speech is “cumulative”?
“Cumulative” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cumulative” come from?
The word “cumulative” comes from Latin. From Latin cumulare, "to heap up," from cumulus, "a heap" — the same root behind the cloud type "cumulus.".
Is “cumulative” a common word?
“Cumulative” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between cumulative and total?
Total simply refers to the sum of everything at a given point, while cumulative emphasizes the process of building up in stages, with each addition adding to what came before. A cumulative total specifically tracks how a figure grows over successive periods.
What is a cumulative effect?
A cumulative effect is an impact that grows stronger over time because each occurrence adds to the ones before it, rather than acting alone. This term is common in discussions of pollution, stress, or repeated small actions.
How is cumulative used in academic contexts?
In academic settings, cumulative often describes a grade point average or exam that reflects performance across an entire course of study rather than a single term. A cumulative GPA, for example, accounts for every grade earned so far.
