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Definition of summative

summative

/ˈsʌm.ə.tɪv/
sum · ma · tive
Adverb:summatively
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summative Lexical Profile

summative Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or constituting a comprehensive evaluation of student learning, skill acquisition, and academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period, course, or program.

Example

"The final research paper serves as a summative assessment of everything the students learned throughout the semester."

2

Produced by or relating to summation; forming a cumulative total, summary, or combined effect of multiple parts.

Example

"Researchers analyzed the summative effect of multiple environmental stressors on the coastal ecosystem."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In education, 'summative' is specifically contrasted with 'formative': summative assessment evaluates overall learning at the end of a course (such as a final exam), whereas formative assessment monitors ongoing progress during instruction to guide improvement.

• Rhymes for summative

• Nearby Words

summarizer
summary
summation
summative
summer
summer snowflake
summerhouse

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-19th century from Medieval Latin summativus, derived from Latin summare ('to sum up'), from summa ('sum, total').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Summative. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/summative
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