Cumulative amounts grow over time by adding new amounts to the previous totals, emphasizing the process of accumulation. Total, on the other hand, represents the sum of all parts at a particular point in time, without focusing on how it accumulates. Cumulative definition: increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions.. See examples of CUMULATIVE used in a sentence. Accumulative and cumulative are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. Accumulative refers to something that gradually increases or builds up over time, while cumulative refers to something that is added together or totalled up. Learn the meaning of cumulative, an adjective that describes something that grows or increases by successive additions or steps. Find out how to use cumulative in different contexts, such as finance, accounting, and statistics, and see related words and phrases.
