sum
17 synonyms and 5 antonyms for sum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The total obtained by adding numbers or quantities together.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The total obtained by adding numbers or quantities together.
“The sum of five and three is eight.”
Opposites
How to use sum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sum of money
sum up
lump sum
Etymology
From Old French summe, from Latin summa, "highest point, total," from summus, "highest."
Full origin of sum →Frequently asked questions
What does “sum” mean?
The word “sum” means the total obtained by adding numbers or quantities together. In plain terms, a total from adding things up, an amount of money, or (as a verb) to add up or summarize.
How do you pronounce “sum”?
“Sum” is pronounced suhm (/sʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “sum” in a sentence?
Here is “sum” used in a sentence: “The sum of five and three is eight.”
What part of speech is “sum”?
Depending on how it is used, “sum” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sum” come from?
The word “sum” comes from Latin. From Old French summe, from Latin summa, "highest point, total," from summus, "highest.".
Is “sum” a common word?
“Sum” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sum” have?
“Sum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the total obtained by adding numbers or quantities together.
What is the difference between sum and total?
A sum is the result of adding numbers or quantities together, which makes it very close to a total. "Total" is the more everyday word, while "sum" is common in mathematics and can also mean an amount of money.
What is the difference between "sum" and "sum up"?
As a noun, "sum" is a total or amount. The phrasal verb "sum up" means to summarize, as in "to sum up the main points," and is unrelated to arithmetic addition in this use.
