cumulative

[ kyoo-myuh-luh-tiv, -ley-tiv ]

adjective

1. increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions:

   the cumulative effect of one rejection after another.

2. formed by or resulting from accumulation or the addition of successive parts or elements.
3. of or relating to interest or dividends that, if not paid when due, become a prior claim for payment in the future:

   cumulative preferred stocks.

cumulative

/ ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv /

adjective

1. growing in quantity, strength, or effect by successive additions or gradual steps

   cumulative pollution

2. gained by or resulting from a gradual building up

   cumulative benefits

3. finance
   1. (of preference shares) entitling the holder to receive any arrears of dividend before any dividend is distributed to ordinary shareholders
   2. (of dividends or interest) intended to be accumulated if not paid when due
4. statistics
   1. (of a frequency) including all values of a variable either below or above a specified value
   2. (of error) tending to increase as the sample size is increased

Derived Forms

• ˈcumulatively, adverb
• ˈcumulativeness, noun

Other Words From

• cumu·la·tive·ly adverb
• cumu·la·tive·ness noun
• un·cumu·la·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumulative¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; cumulate + -ive

Example Sentences

"This approach to learning contributes to what we call 'cumulative culture' -- the ability to build on existing knowledge and pass it down through generations," Hewlett said.

From Science Daily

The researchers found that shifts to three of the four diets examined -- all except the FBDGs -- resulted in reductions in global cumulative pressure.

From Science Daily

The cumulative total over the years does not necessarily refer to individual pensioners, who could move in and out of relative poverty over time depending on their personal circumstances.

From BBC

In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, they said the "cumulative burden" of the Budget changes, and other policies already in the pipeline, would amount to an additional £7bn in costs next year.

From BBC

But “gaslighting” also describes the cumulative effect and the purpose of the whole interaction.

From Salon

Related Words

• aggregate
• increasing