alumna

noun

alum·​na ə-ˈləm-nə 

plural alumnae ə-ˈləm-(ˌ)nē 

 also  -ˌnī

1

: a girl or woman who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university

an alumna of Smith College

2

: a girl or woman who is a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate

an alumna of a TV series

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 alumna in a Sentence

a group of Harvard alumnae

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Angeria is in a unique position as a Drag Race alumna who has competed in multiple seasons and won the prestigious crown on her second attempt. —Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

The five student finalists will debut their eveningwear capsule collections created following a months-long mentorship program with Mohapatra, an alumna of the Fashion Institute of Technology. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 29 Aug. 2025

Bienemann’s daughter was an alumna of the kindergarten-to-eighth-grade school. —Mark Vancleave, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

Eileen is an alumna of Pennsylvania State University and the State University of New York at Buffalo. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, feminine of alumnus

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

alumna

noun

alum·​na ə-ˈləm-nə 

plural alumnae -(ˌ)nē 

: a girl or woman who has attended or graduated from a particular school, college, or university