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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 alumna in a Sentence
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 May 2025
At 90s Con in Hartford, Conn., the Charmed actress appeared with costar Holly Marie Combs in a wide-ranging, fun panel, moderated by Sabrina the Teenage Witch alumna Jenna Leigh Green.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 9 May 2025
Zandy Forbes, an alumna of Forbes 50 Over 50 who is not related to the Forbes family, started MeiraGTx in 2015.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Statler also mentions that co-creator/executive producer Lucia Aniello — an alumna of the Upright Citizens Brigade who’s appeared in shows like Broad City and Netflix’s The Characters — would be a perfect pick to mix it up with Deb and Ava.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alumna
Cite this Entry
“Alumna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumna. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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