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.
Chelsea graduated summa cum laude from Howard University in 2018. Alexandra Hurtado, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024 Macdonald was on his way to graduating summa cum laude and was well on his way to a lucrative business career. Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024 What makes The Brutalist so enthralling is that Corbet & co. isn’t just trying to resurrect a look so much as a subgenre: the excessive, summa cum laude personal epic. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2024 Mae had graduated summa cum laude from an elite private university. Dr. David P. Weber, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near summa cum laude

Cite this Entry

“Summa cum laude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summa%20cum%20laude. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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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