summa cum laude

adverb or adjective

sum·​ma cum lau·​de ˌsu̇-mə-(ˌ)ku̇m-ˈlau̇-də How to pronounce summa cum laude (audio)
ˌsü-, 
-ˈlau̇-dē;
ˌsə-mə-ˌkəm-ˈlȯ-dē How to pronounce summa cum laude (audio)
: with highest distinction
graduated summa cum laude
compare cum laude, magna cum laude

Examples of summa cum laude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kimes graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with a bachelor of arts in English. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 May 2026 Macdonald was a straight-A student in high school and graduated summa cum laude with a finance degree from the University of Georgia. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Groch graduated summa cum laude from California Western School of Law in 1992. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Thani graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summa cum laude

Word History

Etymology

Latin, with highest praise

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of summa cum laude was in 1851

Rhymes for summa cum laude

See All Rhymes for summa cum laude

Browse Nearby Words

summable
summa cum laude
summa genera
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Cite this Entry

“Summa cum laude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summa%20cum%20laude. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

summa cum laude

adverb or adjective
sum·​ma cum lau·​de ˌsu̇m-ə-ˌku̇m-ˈlau̇d-ə How to pronounce summa cum laude (audio) -ˈlau̇d-ē How to pronounce summa cum laude (audio)
ˌsəm-ə-ˌkəm-ˈlȯd-ē
: with highest distinction
graduated summa cum laude
Etymology

Latin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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