cum laude

American

[koom lou-dey, -duh, -dee, kuhm law-dee] / kʊm ˈlaʊ deɪ, -də, -di, kʌm ˈlɔ di /

adverb

with honor: used in diplomas to grant the lowest of three special honors for grades above the average.

cum laude British

/ kʊm ˈlaʊdeɪ, kʌm ˈlɔːdɪ /

adverb

with praise: the lowest of three designations for above-average achievement in examinations Compare magna cum laude summa cum laude

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cum laude

1890–95, < Latin: with praise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz science communication master’s program and earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College, magna cum laude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Fugate is a self-described “Trumplican” who interned for state lawmakers in Austin before graduating magna cum laude a year ago with a degree in politics and law from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

The award-winning writer who graduated cum laude from Harvard University, came to prominence after her recitation of “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration of President Biden.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2025

Originally from Detroit but launching her comedy career in Los Angeles, Timpf graduated magna cum laude from Hillsdale College.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024

Howard University is an institution of higher education, concerned with the LSAT, magna cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023