cumulative

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/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/
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Growing as more parts are added together.

Examples

  • His cumulative debt grew each month after missing payments.
  • The chart displays the cumulative sales figures for the quarter.
  • The witness gave cumulative testimony that supported the plaintiff's claim.
  • The defense argued that the cumulative allegations were repetitive and unnecessary.
  • The story unfolds in a cumulative sequence of scenes.

Similar words

incremental
supporting
overall
gradual
consecutive
progressive
aggregating
building
combined
subsequent

Meanings

Increasing by successive additions

adjective
everyday
neutral
Growing or becoming larger as more of something is added over time.

Examples

  • The cumulative effect of daily practice made her piano skills impressive.
  • Scientists measured the cumulative increase in temperature over the decade.
  • His cumulative debt grew each month after missing payments.
  • The cumulative stress of the job eventually led to burnout.
  • A cumulative pile of paperwork blocked the hallway.
  • The cumulative impact of small savings can be surprising after years.
  • She noticed the cumulative changes in her garden after planting new seeds.

Similar words

Total that includes all previous amounts

adjective
mathematics
neutral
Describing a sum, percentage, frequency, or GPA that adds together all earlier values up to a given point.

Examples

  • The report shows the cumulative GPA for each semester.
  • We calculated the cumulative percentage of votes after each district reported.
  • The chart displays the cumulative sales figures for the quarter.
  • Her cumulative score on the test was higher than anyone else's.
  • The cumulative frequency table helps us see how many students scored below each mark.
  • Bank statements list the cumulative balance after every transaction.
  • The cumulative total of miles driven this year reached 12,000.

Similar words

Reinforcing the same point

adjective
legal
neutral
Used of evidence or testimony that repeatedly supports the same conclusion.

Examples

  • The witness gave cumulative testimony that supported the plaintiff's claim.
  • The prosecutor presented cumulative evidence to strengthen the case.
  • Multiple cumulative statements from different sources confirmed the timeline.
  • The judge noted the cumulative nature of the complaints against the defendant.
  • The defense argued that the cumulative allegations were repetitive and unnecessary.
  • The report contained cumulative findings that all pointed to negligence.
  • The attorney used cumulative references to prior rulings to back the argument.

Similar words

Subsequent in time

adjective
temporal
neutral
Coming after or occurring later in a sequence.

Examples

  • Each cumulative chapter builds on the previous one.
  • The story unfolds in a cumulative sequence of scenes.
  • His career progressed in a cumulative manner, each role adding to the next.
  • The cumulative steps of the recipe must be followed in order.
  • The project timeline shows a cumulative schedule of tasks.
  • The cumulative history of the town reflects many generations.
  • The cumulative events of the day led to a late-night meeting.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin cumulatus ‘heaped’, the past participle of cumulare ‘to heap’.

FAQ

What does cumulative mean?

Growing as more parts are added together.

How does cumulative describe something that increases by successive additions?

It means growing larger as more of something is added over time, i.e., successive additions.

What does cumulative mean in mathematics?

It describes a sum or percentage that includes all earlier values up to a given point.

How is cumulative used in a legal context?

It refers to evidence or testimony that repeatedly supports the same conclusion.

What does cumulative mean regarding time or sequence?

It means coming later in a sequence or occurring after earlier events.

Where does the word cumulative come from?

From Latin cumulatus ‘heaped’, the past participle of cumulare ‘to heap’.

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