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. The meaning of CUMULATIVE is increasing by successive additions. How to use cumulative in a sentence. 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.
