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

The Pope, Leo XIV, is an American from Chicago’s bungalow belt, and, after him, the second most prominent American Catholic is Vance himself—a youngish convert from small-town evangelical Protestantism, a Marine veteran, and an alumnus of Ohio State and Yale Law. — Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

This was a transition into the announcement that the network would be creating a five-part docuseries on the founding and evolution of Cartoon Network across its 34, going on 35 years (at the time the series will release), pitched by alumni. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 26 June 2026

On June 14, 2026, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, and a Stanford alumnus, returned to his graduate alma mater to deliver the university’s 135th commencement address. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

One of the greatest testaments to the French Laundry’s influence has been the sheer number of alumni who have opened acclaimed restaurants of their own, from Grant Achatz’s Alinea to Corey Lee’s Benu to Rene Redzepi’s Noma. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 June 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