Cumulative
ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv
Definitions
Increasing or becoming larger by adding to what already exists.
ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv
Increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions.
The cumulative effect of the medication was noticeable after a few days.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're saving money. Every week, you put a little bit more in your piggy bank. The total amount you have in the end is cumulative – it's the result of adding up all those little savings!
👶 For kids: It means getting bigger and bigger by adding more stuff to it, like when you add more blocks to a tower.
More Examples
The company reported a cumulative loss for the year.
The cumulative impact of pollution on the environment is significant.
How It's Used
"Cumulative earnings are used to calculate the total profit."
"The cumulative effect of exposure to radiation can be harmful."
From Latin *cumulātus*, past participle of *cumulāre* ('to heap up'), from *cumulus* ('a heap').
Used since the mid-17th century, initially in legal and financial contexts to describe things that build up or accumulate.
Memory tip
Think of a snowball rolling downhill – it gains more snow as it goes, becoming cumulative.