summing-up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal
Quick answer
What does “summing-up” mean?
a concise final statement or restatement of the main points of an argument, discussion, or event.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a concise final statement or restatement of the main points of an argument, discussion, or event.
The final part of a speech, meeting, or trial where the main points are briefly stated again, often by a judge or chairperson.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and formal in British English, especially in legal contexts (judge's summing-up). In American English, 'summary' or 'conclusion' is more frequent in general use, but 'summing-up' is understood.
Connotations
In UK: Strongly associated with courtroom procedure and formal meetings. In US: Sounds slightly more British or formal.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in British English corpora, particularly in legal and parliamentary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “summing-up” in a Sentence
[give/deliver/provide] a summing-up[chairperson's/judge's] summing-up[in/by way of] summing-upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “summing-up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chair will now sum up the main points of the debate.
- Could you sum up your position in one sentence?
American English
- Let me sum up the key takeaways from this quarter.
- The report sums up the findings of the committee.
adverb
British English
- She spoke summing-uply (very rare/awkward).
American English
- He concluded summing-uply (very rare/awkward).
adjective
British English
- The summing-up speech was masterful.
- He provided a few summing-up comments.
American English
- Her summing-up remarks clarified the issue.
- The document includes a summing-up section.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used at the end of long meetings or presentations to restate key decisions and action points.
Academic
Used in lectures or seminar conclusions to synthesise the main arguments discussed.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more likely in structured group discussions or family meetings.
Technical
A specific legal term for a judge's final instructions to a jury, outlining the evidence and law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “summing-up”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “summing-up”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “summing-up”
- Writing as one word 'summingup' or as three words 'summing up' when used as a noun (the noun form is hyphenated).
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'summary' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily a hyphenated compound noun. The verb form is the phrasal verb 'to sum up' (without a hyphen).
A 'summing-up' is a specific type of summary that is official, concluding, and often spoken (e.g., in court or a formal meeting). A 'summary' is a more general term for any brief statement of main points.
Yes, when using it as a noun (e.g., 'She gave a summing-up'). The hyphen is standard orthography for this compound noun.
Yes, but it would be appropriate for formal or semi-formal emails, especially at the end of a long email chain or to conclude minutes of a meeting. In a simple work email, 'to sum up' or 'in summary' might be more common.
a concise final statement or restatement of the main points of an argument, discussion, or event.
Summing-up is usually formal, legal in register.
Summing-up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌm.ɪŋ ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌm.ɪŋ ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In summing up (as a discourse marker), To sum up (verb phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a maths teacher saying, 'Let's SUM UP what we've learned today.' The hyphen turns the action into the final product.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ARGUMENT IS A STRUCTURE (the summing-up is the final roof or capstone).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'summing-up' MOST appropriately used?