summons
8 synonyms for summons, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A formal order to appear somewhere, especially in court.
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
A formal order to appear somewhere, especially in court.
“He received a summons to appear before the magistrate.”
How to use summons
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a court summons
issue a summons
Etymology
From Old French sumunce, from Vulgar Latin summonsa, related to summonēre ("to summon").
Full origin of summons →Frequently asked questions
What does “summons” mean?
The word “summons” means a formal order to appear somewhere, especially in court. In plain terms, a formal, often legal, order to show up somewhere.
How do you pronounce “summons”?
“Summons” is pronounced SUH-muhnz (/ˈsʌ.mənz/ in IPA).
How do you use “summons” in a sentence?
Here is “summons” used in a sentence: “He received a summons to appear before the magistrate.”
What is another word for “summons”?
Words with a similar meaning to “summons” include citation, invocation, writ of summons and subpoena.
What part of speech is “summons”?
Depending on how it is used, “summons” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “summons” come from?
The word “summons” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French sumunce, from Vulgar Latin summonsa, related to summonēre ("to summon").
Is “summons” a common word?
“Summons” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “summons” have?
“Summons” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal order to appear somewhere, especially in court.
