Cumulative describes something that increases or builds up over time as more and more is added. It often refers to effects or totals that grow slowly but become large.
From Latin *cumulare* “to heap up,” from *cumulus* “a heap, pile.” The idea is of things piling on top of each other until they form something big.
Cumulative effects are why tiny habits matter so much—one late night or one cookie is nothing, but hundreds add up. Your knowledge, health, and even reputation are mostly the result of small, cumulative choices, not big dramatic events.
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