Word
cumulative
Meanings
Increasing or growing by successive additions; adding up over time.
Representing a total amount up to a given point, including all earlier amounts.
Definition
Increasing by adding new amounts to what already exists.
Cumulative describes something that builds up over time as more is added. Each new part is combined with the earlier parts, so the total keeps growing. It is often used for totals, effects, or results measured across a period.
Examples
- The cumulative total reached 10,000 units by the end of the year.
- Even small costs can have a cumulative effect on your budget.
- She tracked her cumulative study hours to stay motivated.
- The medication has a cumulative impact if taken every day.
More adjectives
- agnostic Agnostic describes someone who believes it is not possible to know for sure whether a god exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than theory or ideals.
- ubiquitous Present everywhere or in many places at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.