How to Pronounce “cumulative”

American (US)

/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/

British (UK)

/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/

adjective — Incorporating all current and previous data up to the present or at the time of measuring or collating.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “cumulative” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “cumulative” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "cumulative" mean?

cumulative (adjective): Incorporating all current and previous data up to the present or at the time of measuring or collating.

How do you pronounce "cumulative" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "cumulative", /ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "cumulative"?

/ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ in American English, /ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "cumulative"?

“cumulative” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkjuːmjʊlətɪv/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.