alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
plural alumni ə-ˈləm-ˌnī How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
1
: a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
an alumnus of Columbia University
usually used of a man in the singular but often of men and women in the plural
2
: a person who is a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate
a Saturday Night Live alumnus

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Alumnus or Alumna?

Many people are comfortable using the word alumni to refer to someone who was a student of a particular school. However, others feel quite strongly that this is an error and that the following forms should be used: alumnus (for one male), alumni (for multiple males, or for a mix of males and females), alumna (for one female), and alumnae (for multiple females). The shortened form alum and its plural form alums began to be used in the 19th century. Initially, alum was widely viewed as highly colloquial or informal, but is increasing in use as a gender-neutral alternative.

Examples of alumnus in a Sentence

Her parents are alumni of the state university.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new leadership moved swiftly to eliminate diversity and inclusion (DEI) programming and gender studies, launch an athletics program and aggressively recruit student athletes — changes that triggered an exodus of faculty, inflamed alumni and reshaped the college’s academic culture. Alice Herman, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025 Bieger and a spokesperson for the alumni association did not immediately return Deadline’s requests for comment. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025 As Office alumni branched out, copies begat copies. Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025 Deeb eventually founded and was the first president of MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences alumni board. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alumnus

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "male nursing child, man produced by some formative agent (as a nation or race)," from alere "to nourish" + -mn-, mediopassive participle suffix — more at old entry 1

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alumnus was in 1645

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Cite this Entry

“Alumnus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumnus. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

alumnus

noun
alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
plural alumni -ˌnī How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
: a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
Etymology

Latin, literally "foster son," from alere "to nourish" — related to alimentary, alma mater

More from Merriam-Webster on alumnus

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