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.
a particular aggregate or total, especially with reference to money: The expenses came to an enormous sum.
an indefinite amount or quantity, especially of money: to lend small sums.
a series of numbers or quantities to be added up.
an arithmetical problem to be solved, or such a problem worked out and having the various steps shown.
the full amount, or the whole.
the substance or gist of a matter, comprehensively or broadly viewed or expressed: the sum of his opinions.
concise or brief form: in sum.
Mathematics.
the limit of the sequence of partial sums of a given infinite series.
union (def. 10a).
a summary.
verb (used with object),summed,sum·ming.
to combine into an aggregate or total (often followed by up).
to ascertain the sum of, as by addition.
to bring into or contain in a small compass (often followed by up).
verb (used without object),summed,sum·ming.
to amount (usually followed by to or into): Their expenses summed into the thousands.
Verb Phrases
sum up,
to reckon: We summed up our assets and liabilities.
to bring into or contain in a brief and comprehensive statement; summarize: to sum up the case for the prosecution.
to form a quick estimate of: I summed him up in a minute.
Origin of sum
First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English summe, from Latin summa “sum,” noun use of feminine of summus “highest,” superlative of superus (see superior); (verb) Middle English summen (from Old French summer), from Medieval Latin summāre, derivative of summa
synonym study for sum
1. See number.
OTHER WORDS FROM sum
sumless,adjectivesum·less·ness,nounoutsum,verb (used with object),out·summed,out·sum·ming.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sum
some, sum
Words nearby sum
sultry, Sulu, Sulu Archipelago, Sulu Sea, Sulzberger, sum, sumac, sumach, sum and substance, Sumatra, Sumatra camphor