magna cum laude

adverb or adjective

mag·​na cum lau·​de ˈmäg-nə-(ˌ)ku̇m-ˈlau̇-də 

-ˈlau̇-dē;

ˈmag-nə-ˌkəm-ˈlȯ-dē 

: with great distinction (see distinction sense 4b)

graduated magna cum laude

compare cum laude, summa cum laude

Examples of magna cum laude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After graduating magna cum laude from Temple University, Herman got a job as a TV commercials producer at AC&R in New York. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Strantz graduated from the University of Memphis magna cum laude in 2012. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on April 4, 1932, Davis was a striving student who attended New York University on a full scholarship, and graduated magna cum laude. — Chris Morris, Variety, 22 June 2026

Delorean Andrews, 42, graduated magna cum laude from Widener University on Tuesday after first enrolling more than a decade ago. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for magna cum laude

• brachiopod
• cephalopod
• upanishad
• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed

Kids Definition

magna cum laude

adverb

mag·​na cum lau·​de ˌmäg-nə-(ˌ)ku̇m-ˈlau̇d-ə  -ˈlau̇d-ē 

ˌmag-nə-ˌkəm-ˈlȯd-ē

: with great distinction : with great honors

graduated magna cum laude

Etymology

Latin