alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
plural alumni ə-ˈləm-ˌnī How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2025 In addition, this section of the bill specifies that at least five members of the board must be IU alumni. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 The event was started by NFL alumnus Paul Salata, who had a brief career with the San Francisco 49ers, to celebrate players like himself who might otherwise go unremarked upon and tend to have shorter careers. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2025 Her association with fellow Comedy Store alumni such as Rogan and Tim Dillon was by no means new, but the overlap in their audiences perhaps was. Kerry Howley, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alumnus

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alumnus was in 1645

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alumnus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumnus. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

alumnus

noun
alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
plural alumni -ˌnī How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on alumnus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!