summa cum laude

[ soom-uh koom lou-dey, -duh, -dee; suhm-uh kuhm law-dee ]

adverb

1. with highest praise: used in diplomas to grant the highest of three special honors for grades above the average.

summa cum laude

/ ˈsʊmɑː kʊm ˈlaʊdeɪ /

adverb

1. with the utmost praise: the highest of three designations for above-average achievement in examinations. In Britain it is sometimes used to designate a first-class honours degree Compare cum laude magna cum laude

Word History and Origins

Origin of summa cum laude¹

First recorded in 1895–1900, summa cum laude is from Latin summā cum laude

Word History and Origins

Origin of summa cum laude¹

from Latin