cumulative - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
cumulative Word Meanings
- increasing or growing by accumulation
- collective; made up of several parts
- resulting from a series of events or actions
cumulative Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
cumulative Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/
US
/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/
cumulative Word Etymology
cumu- = heap, -ulative = relate to; Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a large pile of books accumulating on a desk until it spills over.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
cumulative is an adjective that describes results, effects, or collections that grow by adding one part after another over time. In everyday English, we talk about the cumulative impact of years of work, or the cumulative total in a dataset that keeps increasing as more observations are added. People often confuse it with merely 'increasing' or with 'collective' in the sense of a group, so careful collocations matter: you usually say cumulative effect, cumulative sum, cumulative total, or cumulative distribution in technical contexts. Learners may miss that the first part of the word is about piling up, not a single event.
Usage Reminders
- - Use with time-based growth
- - Pair with collocations like cumulative effect or cumulative sum
- - Distinguish from incremental or immediate results
- - Prefer in formal or data-driven writing
- - Check context: process over time, not a single event
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing cumulative with merely large or total
- Thinking it means a single event rather than a process over time
- Mistaking it for 'accumulative' in all contexts
- Using it with short-term results instead of long-term effects
- Assuming it implies an exact numerical value without context
Thinking Differences
In English, cumulative emphasizes growth through time and multiple parts; learners often treat it as a synonym for 'increasing' or 'total' and miss its collocations like cumulative effect or cumulative distribution. English tends to pair it with technical nouns in research or data contexts, so learners should pay attention to domain-specific phrases.
Learning Tips
- Learn common collocations (cumulative effect, cumulative total)
- Differentiate cumulative from incremental
- Practice with time-series data
- Use in formal writing and reports
- Pair with distributions or sums in technical contexts
- Check domain-specific terms
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'cumulative'?
A.Decreasing
B.Increasing
C.Stagnant
D.Colorful
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'cumulative' used correctly?
A.The bank offered a cumulative interest rate on the savings account.
B.She spent all her money in one go.
C.The weather was quite unpredictable today.
D.He was feeling extremely jubilant after receiving the good news.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following words is most similar to 'cumulative'?
A.Static
B.Aggregate
C.Uniform
D.Adjacent
Step 4: Opposite Words
What would be the opposite of 'cumulative'?
A.Gradual
B.Cumulus
C.Accumulated
D.Dispersed
Step 5: Mastery
How does the concept of 'cumulative' apply in a real-life situation?
A.Studying a little bit every day for a big exam
B.Watching paint dry
C.Taking one step at a time in a staircase
D.Saving money in a piggy bank
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