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

To offer the service, Phia is building an in-house search engine (available on both desktop and as an iOS app) with the help of top talent like eBay and Pinterest alumni. —Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The school is holding its alumni game on Saturday and honoring five grads who have played in the major leagues in Kyle Karros, Chase Meidroth, Petey Halpin, Joe Moeller and Jim Pena. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

The Texas baseball team will host its annual alumni game Saturday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, a scrimmage between this year's team and a squad of both former and current Longhorns. —Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026

Her route there led back to Sydney, and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), whose alumni include Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, and Sarah Snook. —Kat Moon, Time, 29 Jan. 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