sum

¹

[suhm]

noun

1. the aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars as determined by or as if by the mathematical process of addition.

   The sum of 6 and 8 is 14.

2. a particular aggregate or total, especially with reference to money.

   The expenses came to an enormous sum.

3. an indefinite amount or quantity, especially of money.

   to lend small sums.

4. a series of numbers or quantities to be added up.

5. an arithmetical problem to be solved, or such a problem worked out and having the various steps shown.

6. the full amount, or the whole.

7. the substance or gist of a matter, comprehensively or broadly viewed or expressed.

   the sum of his opinions.

8. concise or brief form.

   in sum.

9. Mathematics.

   1. the limit of the sequence of partial sums of a given infinite series.

   2. union.

10. a summary.

verb (used with object)

summed, summing 

1. to combine into an aggregate or total (often followed byup ).

2. to ascertain the sum of, as by addition.

3. to bring into or contain in a small compass (often followed byup ).

verb (used without object)

summed, summing 

1. to amount (usually followed by to orinto ).

   Their expenses summed into the thousands.

verb phrase

1. sum up

   1. to reckon.

      We summed up our assets and liabilities.

   2. to bring into or contain in a brief and comprehensive statement; summarize.

      to sum up the case for the prosecution.

   3. to form a quick estimate of.

      I summed him up in a minute.

SUM

²

1. surface-to-underwater missile.

sum-

³

1. variant of sub- before m: summon.

sum

¹

/ sʌm /

noun

1. 1. the result of the addition of numbers, quantities, objects, etc

   2. the cardinality of the union of disjoint sets whose cardinalities are the given numbers

2. one or more columns or rows of numbers to be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided

3. maths the limit of a series of sums of the first n terms of a converging infinite series as n tends to infinity

4. (plural) another name for number work

5. a quantity, esp of money

   he borrows enormous sums

6. the essence or gist of a matter (esp in the phrases in sum, in sum and substance )

7. a less common word for summary

8. archaic,  the summit or maximum

9. (modifier) complete or final (esp in the phrase sum total )

verb

1. (often foll by up) to add or form a total of (something)

2. (tr) to calculate the sum of (the terms in a sequence)

sum

²

/ sʊm /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Uzbekistan, divided into 100 tiyin

sum

1. The result of adding numbers or quantities. The sum of 6 and 9, for example, is 15, and the sum of 4 x and 5 x is 9 x.

Other Word Forms

• sumless adjective
• sumlessness noun
• outsum verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English summe, from Latin summa “sum,” noun use of feminine of summus “highest,” superlative of superus ( superior ); (verb) Middle English summen (from Old French summer ), from Medieval Latin summāre, derivative of summa

Word History and Origins

Origin of sum¹

C13 summe, from Old French, from Latin summa the top, sum, from summus highest, from superus in a higher position; see _super

Synonym Study

See number.

Example Sentences

"Saving this sum would require much more than a crackdown on waste; it would almost certainly require substantial cuts to the quantity or quality of public services," said the IFS's Carl Emmerson.

From BBC

She has been told a "substantial" sum of money is needed to free her or reduce her sentence, which could be up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment.

From BBC

Money, which includes at least two seven figure sums, was paid to settle High Court and industrial tribunal cases taken by senior medics against the health trust in the past seven years, the BBC understands.

From BBC

The search for a new buyer for British Steel has stalled in recent months after Jingye unexpectedly asked for a sum in the hundreds of millions to hand over ownership.

From BBC

Many pupils across the West Midlands return to school on Wednesday, with parents and carers handing over varying sums depending on how many items were needed.

From BBC

Related Words

• amount 
• bulk 
• quantity 
• value 
• worth