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 On the education front, Christine graduated summa cum laude from Seton Hall University with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2016. Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in economics, Barker got a job at a radio station in Florida before setting his sights on Los Angeles. Lynette Rice, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2023 Henry, a former mental health practitioner and business consultant, received his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in interdisciplinary studies with emphasis in social work and business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2024 The Ohio native has founded many multibillion-dollar tech and health care companies after graduating summa cum laude from Harvard and receiving a law degree from Yale, according to his biography page on Strive.com. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024 Education Katie graduated summa cum laude from The University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, a minor in sociology, and a certificate in new media. Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 28 June 2023 Zachary Lang, a summa cum laude graduate from Dartmouth College, will pursue a bachelor's in philosophy at Oxford. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Nesbitt is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in English. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 16 Aug. 2023 With thoughts of becoming a labor organizer, Ellsberg won a scholarship to Harvard University and graduated summa cum laude. Hillel Italie, ajc, 16 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'summa cum laude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Mar. 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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