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 prep's schools other famous alumni include the composer Stephen Sondheim and John Gotti, the former boss of the Gambino crime family. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

Bastian Behrens, Blackwave founder and TUM alumnus, revealed that the tank is the most elegant application for carbon fibers. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

The Chapman University alumni will begin working with Paramount — reuniting with Cindy Holland, who shepherded Stranger Things into creation at Netflix alongside Matt Thunell (who is also now at Paramount after the Skydance merger) — after their current deal with Netflix ends in April 2026. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2025

It was created in 2005 and is awarded annually through a vote among alumni of the majors and active big-league players. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Nov. 2025

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