summa cum laude

adverb or adjective

sum·​ma cum lau·​de ˌsu̇-mə-(ˌ)ku̇m-ˈlau̇-də 

ˌsü-,

-ˈlau̇-dē;

ˌsə-mə-ˌkəm-ˈlȯ-dē 

: 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

Though class ranks will be a thing of the past, de la Sanchez said all students with a grade-point average of 3.85 or higher on a 4-point scale will graduate summa cum laude, while those between 3.7 and 3.84 will be magna cum laude, and those from 3.5 to 3.69 will be cum laude. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025

Sarah Schlager graduated summa cum laude from Macaulay Honors College with a BA in political science and history and recently completed a master’s degree in education, specializing in social studies (grades 7-12). —Sarah Meira Schlager, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025

Seattle University in Washington: Nicole J. Bashaw, bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, Environmental Studies. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

Fortunately she was matched with a donor heart in less than two weeks — and went on to graduate summa cum laude with a sociology degree from George Mason University. —Eileen Finan, People.com, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, with highest praise

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for summa cum laude

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

Kids Definition

summa cum laude

adverb or adjective

sum·​ma cum lau·​de ˌsu̇m-ə-ˌku̇m-ˈlau̇d-ə  -ˈlau̇d-ē 

ˌsəm-ə-ˌkəm-ˈlȯd-ē

: with highest distinction

graduated summa cum laude

Etymology

Latin