# sum

> English word · Noun · IPA /sʌm/ · frequency rank #4,050

## Definitions
1. A quantity obtained by addition or aggregation.
2. An arithmetic computation, especially one posed to a student as an exercise (not necessarily limited to addition).
3. A quantity of money.
4. A summary; the principal points or thoughts when viewed together; the substance.
5. A central idea or point; gist.
6. The utmost degree; the greatest or most perfect realization (of some concept).
7. An old English measure of corn equal to the quarter.

## Etymology
From Middle English summe, from Old French summe, from Latin summa (“highest point; sum”), from summus (“highest”).

## Easily confused with
- **SW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sw)
- **SV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sv)
- **Sy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sy)
- **sun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sun)
- **SUV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-suv)
- **sup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sup)
- **Syd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-syd)
- **Sus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sus)
- **syn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-syn)
- **SVP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-svp)
- **SVG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-svg)
- **sure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sure)
- **swim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-swim)
- **sung** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sung)
- **sums** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sums)
- **surf** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-surf)
- **sunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sunk)
- **suns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-suns)
- **swam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-swam)
- **sumo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sum-vs-sumo)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sum