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

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

College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts: Tabitha Torres, bachelor of arts degree, summa cum laude. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

Smith was on the first day of a trip with her best friend to celebrate graduating summa cum laude from Miles College in Florida. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 24 May 2025

In 2021, Duval graduated summa cum laude from IUE with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 20 May 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