cum laude

adverb or adjective

cum lau·​de ku̇m-ˈlau̇-də 

-dē;

ˌkəm-ˈlȯ-dē

: with distinction

graduated cum laude

compare magna cum laude, summa cum laude

Examples of cum laude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to her obituary, after high school, Rachel earned her bachelor of business administration, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Natalia, who graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in May with a degree in film, also honored her father on that day with her graduation gown. —Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Natalia graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in May and honored her late father during the ceremony, as seen in a June post from her mother Vanessa Bryant. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Spence graduated cum laude from the University of Wyoming law school in 1952 but needed two tries to pass the state bar exam. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, with praise

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cum laude

• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod

Kids Definition

cum laude

adverb or adjective

ˌku̇m-ˈlau̇d-ē,

-ə;

ˌkəm-ˈlȯd-ē

: with distinction : with honors

graduated cum laude

Etymology

Latin, "with praise"