' Cumulative ' is often used to describe the combined effect of multiple factors or contributions that accumulate to produce a greater impact or result. Its etymology underscores the concept of elements piling up or amassing gradually, highlighting the role of accumulation and incremental growth in its meaning . Cumulative means increasing or growing by successive additions or gradual steps. It can also refer to dividends or interest that accumulate over time, or to evidence that supports earlier evidence in law. The adjective cumulative describes the total amount of something when it's all added together. Eating a single chocolate doughnut is fine, but the cumulative effect of eating them all day is that you'll probably feel sick. " Cumulative " refers to the process where additions over time lead to an increase in quantity, knowledge, or effects. It is commonly applied in contexts like education, finance, and science to describe how smaller increments build up to create significant results. This concept emphasizes the importance of understanding how individual contributions, when combined, shape final outcomes.
