adjective
cumulative
KYOOM-yuu-luh-tihv
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."
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
Word Forms
more cumulative comparative, most cumulative superlative
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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."