alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs 

plural alumni ə-ˈləm-ˌnī 

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

Did you know?

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

Her casting was confirmed alongside several other superhero flick alumni in undisclosed roles, including Sebastian Stan and Brian Tyree Henry. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Other Caller alumni suggested to Semafor that the recent pivot could threaten what in the last decade has become an important talent pipeline and incubator for the right. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Nominations are sought for alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and those who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Famous alumni of the ECSCP of yore include Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino Garavani, Yves Saint Laurent, André Courrèges and Issey Miyake, though some did not complete their studies. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for alumnus

• dumbness
• numbness

Kids Definition

alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs 

plural alumni -ˌnī 

: 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