accumulative
accumulative — adjective
- accumulativepositive
- more accumulativecomparative
- most accumulativesuperlative
1. growing little by little as new parts or quantities are added, so that the total
growing little by little as new parts or quantities are added, so that the total becomes larger over time
The accumulative effect of sleep loss over several weeks can seriously harm your health.
accumulative effect + of + [cause] — medical/health context
Sayaka was amazed by the accumulative power of small daily savings after just one year.
Doctors warned Nora that the accumulative damage from years of smoking was now irreversible.
Nellie described language learning as an accumulative process, with each new phrase adding to what she already knew.
- cumulative
far more common synonym; 'cumulative' emphasizes the growing total, while 'accumulative' emphasizes the ongoing addition
- increasing
simpler, more general word; lacks the sense of repeated addition over time
- mounting
more dramatic; suggests a growing burden or pressure
- diminishing
describes something that becomes smaller rather than larger
- decreasing
simpler opposite; focuses on the total going down
文法句型
accumulative + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns that describe a result or consequence (effect, damage, impact). Less common than 'cumulative', which is the preferred word in most everyday and technical writing.
常見錯誤
2. having a tendency to collect or keep things, often more than necessary
having a tendency to collect or keep things, often more than necessary
Gabriela's accumulative nature meant she kept every letter, ticket stub, and photograph she ever received.
accumulative nature — describing a personal trait
Mrs. Okonkwo's accumulative habits meant her attic was packed with boxes of clothes she had not worn since the 1990s.
Darius warned that the company's accumulative strategy of buying smaller firms was risky in the long term.
Anjali described her grandfather's accumulative habits — he saved every newspaper from the past forty years.
- acquisitive
more common; focuses on the desire to acquire, especially money or possessions
- collecting
simpler and more neutral; used as an adjective in phrases like 'collecting habit'
- hoarding
more negative; suggests keeping things excessively or secretly
文法句型
accumulative + noun (nature, personality, habit)
用法筆記
When applied to people, this sense often carries a mildly negative tone, suggesting hoarding or excessive collecting. For neutral or positive contexts, 'collecting' or 'acquisitive' may be more appropriate.