accumulative

American  

[uh-kyoo-myuh-ley-tiv, -luh-tiv] / əˈkyu myəˌleɪ tɪv, -lə tɪv /

adjective

1. tending to accumulate or arising from accumulation; cumulative.

2. tending to accumulate wealth; acquisitive.

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Other Word Forms

• accumulatively adverb
• accumulativeness noun
• nonaccumulative adjective
• nonaccumulatively adverb
• nonaccumulativeness noun
• unaccumulative adjective
• unaccumulatively adverb
• unaccumulativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of accumulative

First recorded in 1645–55; accumulate + -ive

Compare meaning

How does accumulative compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cumulative vs. accumulative

Example Sentences

"Additionally, our study revealed that multiyear La Niña are distinguished from single-year La Niña by a conspicuous onset rate, which foretells its accumulative intensity and climate impacts."

From Science Daily • Sep. 21, 2023

“This one is a longer-lasting heat wave, which brings accumulative effects of not cooling down at night and particularly harming the homeless population.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2022

"When you look at the accumulative effects, it is just as impactful as a heavy-duty slaughterhouse," said Saunders, who works in community engagement at Leadership Counsel.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2022

"It also comes from the accumulative impact of almost two years of a pandemic and having to catch up with a significant backlog."

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2022

Tonic drinks often contain deleterious accumulative medicines, and should all be avoided.

From The Cruise of the Land-Yacht "Wanderer" Thirteen Hundred Miles in my Caravan by Stables, Gordon