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

University Kuwait executive director of alumni affairs and strategic events Alia Al Azzeh, and Alexandria Short Film Festival head Mohamed Mahmoud. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Students, parents, alumni, and donors should consider these implications. — Beth Davis Sramek, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent alumni of the program include Curry Barker (class of ’23), writer and director of the breakout horror film Obsession, and Grace Reiter (class of ’24), one of this year’s two new Saturday Night Live cast members. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

The West Boca Raton alumnus notched his second 100-yard game (and first against an FBS team), finishing the game with 108 yards and two scores on 13 carries. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 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