curriculum vitae
noun
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The Different Plural Forms of Curriculum
Curriculum is from New Latin (a post-medieval form of Latin used mainly in churches and schools and for scientific coinages), in which language it means “a course of study.” It shares its ultimate root in classical Latin, where it meant “running” or “course” (as in “race course”), with words such as corridor, courier, and currency, all of which come from Latin currere “to run.”
As is the case with many nouns borrowed directly from Latin, there is often some confusion as to the proper way to form its plural. Both curricula and curriculums are considered correct.
This word is frequently seen in conjunction with vitae; a curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of (one’s) life”) is “a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position” – in other words, a résumé. Curriculum vitae is abbreviated CV, and is pluralized as curricula vitae.
Examples of curriculum vitae in a Sentence
Robert D. Hershey Jr., New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Mere footnotes at the bottom of Brady’s pigskin curriculum vitae.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
There is an exchange of anecdotes rather than information—a focus on that part of you that is separate from your curriculum vitae.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
In a career spanning more than two decades, Dr. Cook has written about topics ranging from banking systems in developing economies to policy prescriptions for supporting Americans and small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to her curriculum vitae.
—Amara Omeokwe, WSJ, 1 Feb. 2022
Tikalsky has served as dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology at Oklahoma State University since 2012, according to his biography and curriculum vitae.
—Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Feb. 2023
Just provide your education, experience, and other relevant information and hipCV can have a professional-looking curriculum vitae at your fingertips in minutes.
—Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2023
To me, the collection seemed like a living and breathing curriculum vitae.
—Vogue Runway, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2022
Hampus Lindholm, the Bruins’ leading scorer (4-14–18) on the back end for the first quarter, has produced far beyond his curriculum vitae.
—Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curriculum vitae.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near curriculum vitae
Cite this Entry
“Curriculum vitae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curriculum%20vitae. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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