sum
6 synonyms and 0 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.
How to use sum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.