sum

¹

[ suhm ]

noun

1. the aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars as determined by or as if by the mathematical process of addition:

   The sum of 6 and 8 is 14.

2. a particular aggregate or total, especially with reference to money:

   The expenses came to an enormous sum.

3. an indefinite amount or quantity, especially of money:

   to lend small sums.

4. a series of numbers or quantities to be added up.
5. an arithmetical problem to be solved, or such a problem worked out and having the various steps shown.
6. the full amount, or the whole.
7. the substance or gist of a matter, comprehensively or broadly viewed or expressed:

   the sum of his opinions.

8. concise or brief form:

   in sum.

9. Mathematics.
   1. the limit of the sequence of partial sums of a given infinite series.
   2. union ( def 10a ).
10. a summary.

verb (used with object)

, summed, sum·ming.

1. to combine into an aggregate or total (often followed by up ).
2. to ascertain the sum of, as by addition.
3. to bring into or contain in a small compass (often followed by up ).

verb (used without object)

, summed, sum·ming.

1. to amount (usually followed by to or into ):

   Their expenses summed into the thousands.

verb phrase

1. 1. to reckon:

      We summed up our assets and liabilities.

   2. to bring into or contain in a brief and comprehensive statement; summarize:

      to sum up the case for the prosecution.

   3. to form a quick estimate of:

      I summed him up in a minute.

SUM

²

1. surface-to-underwater missile.

sum-

³

1. variant of sub- before m: summon.

sum

¹

/ sʊm /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Uzbekistan, divided into 100 tiyin

sum

²

/ sʌm /

noun

1. 1. the result of the addition of numbers, quantities, objects, etc
   2. the cardinality of the union of disjoint sets whose cardinalities are the given numbers
2. one or more columns or rows of numbers to be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided
3. maths the limit of a series of sums of the first n terms of a converging infinite series as n tends to infinity
4. plural another name for number work
5. a quantity, esp of money

   he borrows enormous sums

6. the essence or gist of a matter (esp in the phrases in sum, in sum and substance )
7. a less common word for summary
8. archaic.
   the summit or maximum
9. modifier complete or final (esp in the phrase sum total )

verb

1. often foll by up to add or form a total of (something)
2. tr to calculate the sum of (the terms in a sequence)

sum

/ sŭm /

1. The result of adding numbers or quantities. The sum of 6 and 9, for example, is 15, and the sum of 4 x and 5 x is 9 x.

Other Words From

• sumless adjective
• sumless·ness noun
• outsum verb (used with object) outsummed outsumming

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English summe, from Latin summa “sum,” noun use of feminine of summus “highest,” superlative of superus ( superior ); (verb) Middle English summen (from Old French summer ), from Medieval Latin summāre, derivative of summa

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum¹

C13 summe, from Old French, from Latin summa the top, sum, from summus highest, from superus in a higher position; see super

Synonym Study

See number.

Example Sentences

She says she is fortunate enough to be able to afford the sum but that the high prices involved are another reason why the law should be changed – so that assisted dying is possible for every terminally-ill person who chooses it, not just those who can afford it.

From BBC

But this is a production in which the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.

From Los Angeles Times

Though it was a warm day, fewer than 200 children showed up — the sum of about three field trips.

From Los Angeles Times

Without it, a soldier can’t get full tuition and fees at a public university as well as a housing and books allowance — a sum that can easily reach $100,000.

From Los Angeles Times

While the £336,612,000 raised from those sales may sound a reasonable sum, it works out on average at about £77,000 per house.

From BBC

Related Words

• amount
• bulk
• quantity
• value
• worth