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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
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 29 Apr. 2025
The Charlotte Observer Tamia Boyd is an audience growth producer for The Charlotte Observer and a proud alumna of Michigan State University.
—Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025
The key mediator between the students and their teacher is Ms. Gallagher (Molly Griggs), a guidance counsellor who is fresh out of college and an alumna of this high school; Griggs artfully plays this liminal position, triumphantly asserting herself at a crucial time.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 15 Apr. 2025
Yet, the former costars — alongside their fellow alumna Joan Van Ark — talked about their memories of joining the show, which premiered in 1979.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 14 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 7 May. 2025.
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