preposition
Common
cum
kuhm
Cum (preposition) means Combined with; serving as both one thing and another. Example: “They converted the garage into a gym-cum-workshop at the back of the house.”
preposition
1
Combined with; serving as both one thing and another.
"They converted the garage into a gym-cum-workshop at the back of the house."
"The village hall is a cafe-cum-library on weekday mornings."
"It's a studio-cum-office, used for painting by day and paperwork by night."
noun
1
Vulgar slang for semen or sexual fluid.
"The word is considered crude slang and avoided in polite writing."
How to use cum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a linking word it means "combined with" (a kitchen-cum-dining room). As slang it's a vulgar term for semen.
When to use it
The "combined with" use is formal/literary; the slang sense is vulgar and inappropriate for most writing.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cum.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
The "combined with" sense is a learned borrowing of the Latin word cum, meaning "with."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cum
See all rhymes for cum →Frequently asked questions
What does “cum” mean?
The word “cum” means combined with; serving as both one thing and another.
How do you pronounce “cum”?
“Cum” is pronounced kuhm (/kʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “cum” in a sentence?
Here is “cum” used in a sentence: “It's a studio-cum-office, used for painting by day and paperwork by night.”
What part of speech is “cum”?
Depending on how it is used, “cum” can be a preposition and a noun.
Where does the word “cum” come from?
The word “cum” comes from Latin. The "combined with" sense is a learned borrowing of the Latin word cum, meaning "with.".
Is “cum” a common word?
“Cum” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cum” have?
“Cum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: combined with; serving as both one thing and another.
