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

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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

Kansas State University, Creighton University, the University of Georgia, and Texas Tech University also offer programs in financial therapy, and alumni of those programs will have taken multiple relevant courses. —Diane Harris, TIME, 8 May 2024

The school, whose alumni include athletes, actors and members of The Jackson 5, has been unoccupied and deteriorating for several years, according to the national trust. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, foster son, pupil, from alere to nourish — more at old

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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