WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
cu•mu•la•tive /ˈkyumyələtɪv, -ˌleɪtɪv/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- increasing steadily by successive additions:the cumulative, damaging effect of all the punches on the boxer's brain.
cu•mu•la•tive
(kyo̅o̅′myə lə tiv, -lā′tiv),USA pronunciation adj.
cu′mu•la•tive•ly, adv.
cu′mu•la•tive•ness, n.
- increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions:the cumulative effect of one rejection after another.
- formed by or resulting from accumulation or the addition of successive parts or elements.
- Businessof or pertaining to interest or dividends that, if not paid when due, become a prior claim for payment in the future:cumulative preferred stocks.
- cumulate + -ive 1595–1605
cu′mu•la•tive•ness, n.
'cumulatively' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):