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

What makes The Brutalist so enthralling is that Corbet & co. isn’t just trying to resurrect a look so much as a subgenre: the excessive, summa cum laude personal epic. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2024

Mae had graduated summa cum laude from an elite private university. —Dr. David P. Weber, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024

After serving in the Marines as a combat correspondent covering the Iraq War, Vance enrolled in Ohio State University, graduating summa cum laude in political science and philosophy. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 15 July 2024

Zuma first graduated summa cum laude from Spelman College in Georgia, and later earned a master’s degree at Oxford University in England, per Winfrey’s post. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, with highest praise

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

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