cumulative
adj.adj. growing or increasing by adding more parts over time. You use it to describe a total that builds up bit by bit.
adj. increasing in amount or degree through successive additions; resulting from the accumulation of parts. Often used in financial, legal, or scientific contexts to describe compounded effects.
The cumulative cost of the repairs was high.
The cumulative effect of small daily savings can lead to significant wealth over time.
Researchers tracked the cumulative impact of air pollution on respiratory health, noting that even low-level exposure adds up to serious long-term risks.
From cumulate + -ive. Compare also French cumulatif, Italian cumulativo and Spanish cumulativo.
Typically precedes the noun it modifies (e.g., 'cumulative total').