Definition

1. Noun:

   • A quantity obtained by addition: The result of adding two or more numbers or amounts together.
   • The total amount: The whole quantity or aggregate of something.
   • A particular amount of money: An unspecified or specific quantity of currency.
   • The central or most important point: The essence or gist of a matter.

2. Verb:

   • To calculate the total of: To add numbers or amounts together to find a sum.
   • To be a summary of: To present the most important points concisely.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The sum of 7 and 8 is 15.
  • He donated a large sum to the charity.
  • In sum, the project was a success despite the challenges.

• Verb:

  • Please sum these columns of figures.
  • The report sums the findings of the investigation.

Advanced Usage

• "In sum": Used to introduce a concluding statement; in summary.

  • In sum, we need to focus on three key areas.

• "The sum and substance": The essential nature or most important aspects of something.

  • The sum and substance of his argument was that change was inevitable.

Variants and Related Words

• Summation (n): The process of adding things together; a summary.

  • The lawyer's summation was very persuasive.

• Sum total (n): The final or overall total.

  • The sum total of our efforts was a new community center.

Synonyms

• Total (n): The whole amount.
• Aggregate (n): A whole formed by combining several elements.
• Essence (n): The intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sum up:
  • To summarize: To give a brief statement of the main points.

    • To sum up, the main advantages are cost and efficiency.
  • To form a quick opinion or judgment about someone or something.

    • He summed up the situation immediately.

Related Idioms

• Lump sum: A single payment for a total amount, rather than several smaller payments.
  • She received a lump sum when she retired.

Noun

1. a set containing all and only the members of two or more given sets
   • let C be the union of the sets A and B
2. the whole amount
3. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   • the gist of the prosecutor's argument
   • the heart and soul of the Republican Party
   • the nub of the story
4. the final aggregate
   • the sum of all our troubles did not equal the misery they suffered
5. a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers
6. a quantity of money
   • he borrowed a large sum
   • the amount he had in cash was insufficient

Verb

1. determine the sum of
   • Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
2. be a summary of
   • The abstract summarizes the main ideas in the paper