FluencyCraft

sum

"Sum" is a straightforward but useful word with a few different senses. Most commonly you will meet it as a noun referring to a total amount, but it also works as a verb and appears in some common phrases. Here are the most important meanings.

1nountotal amount (numbers)

When you add numbers together, the result is the sum. Think of it as the answer you get at the end of an addition problem. It is one of the first math words you learn in school.

mathematics / everyday language · Modern, widely used

The sum of 4 and 6 is 10.

She quickly calculated the sum of all the prices before going to the cashier.

Add up all the scores — the highest sum wins the game.

2nounan amount of money

You can use 'sum' to talk about a quantity of money, especially when it is a specific or significant amount. Instead of just saying 'money', using 'sum' sounds a little more formal or precise.

finance / everyday language · Modern, widely used

He paid a large sum of money for that painting.

The company donated a generous sum to the local charity.

She saved a small sum every month until she could afford the trip.

3nounfigurativethe whole of something / the total picture

Sometimes 'sum' means the overall total of something — not just numbers, but ideas, qualities, or parts. You might hear the phrase 'the sum of something' to mean everything put together.

everyday language / philosophy · Modern, widely used · figurative

The sum of his life's work was a collection of over 200 paintings.

These small daily habits are the sum of who we become over time.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts — meaning the group together is more powerful than each person alone.

4verbto sum up (summarise)

As a verb, 'sum' is almost always used in the phrase 'sum up'. It means to briefly describe the most important points of something — like giving a short version of a long story or argument.

everyday language / formal speech · Modern, widely used

To sum up, the project was a success but took longer than expected.

Can you sum up the main ideas of the article in two sentences?

The judge summed up the case before the jury made their decision.

Content generated by AI — may contain inaccuracies