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

Rappa graduated magna cum laude from New England Law in 1994 after getting his bachelor’s degree from Tufts University with a dual major in economics and political science in 1991, according to the biography on his law firm website. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2026

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

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