What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accumulative
Example
Her accumulative efforts paid off when she finally achieved her goal. [accumulative: adjective]
Example
The accumulative effect of pollution on the environment is devastating. [accumulative: noun]
cumulative
Example
The cumulative effect of studying every day resulted in a high grade on the exam. [cumulative: adjective]
Example
The cumulative total of donations reached an impressive amount. [cumulative: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cumulative is more commonly used than accumulative in everyday language, especially in math and scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accumulative and cumulative?
Both accumulative and cumulative are formal words that can be used in academic or technical writing.
