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

Grizzle was head of photography for the yearbook and graduated magna cum laude. —Lloyd Blankfein, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026

Savannah Guthrie received a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and graduated magna cum laude. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026

All three of his children studied at the university — including Ziz, a University Honors Scholar who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2013. —Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025

Roys graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a bachelor's degree in drama, politics and cultural studies, according to her LinkedIn profile. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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