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

Recent Examples on the Web Work by other researchers suggests that women and members of racial minority groups whose name or curriculum vitae gives away their identity can benefit from hiding their gender or race when they are evaluated for a job. — Erika Kirgios, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2022 Charnley has a doctorate in toxicology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has served on multiple government and industry advisory panels, according to her curriculum vitae. — Will Langhorne, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2022 Yes, there’s thousands upon thousands of people whose curriculum vitae need to be reviewed and assessed, but Variety has developed an incredible radar over the years that ensures no worthy individual escapes our attention. — Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 21 Dec. 2021 Oft-overlooked on his curriculum vitae is the fact that Milbury was an excellent coach in Boston, steering the Bruins to the Cup Final in 1990 and then the semis in ‘91. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Nov. 2021 Before coming to Marquette, McAdams taught at Harvard University and Boston University and was a National Fellow at the Hoover Institution, according to his biography and curriculum vitae on Marquette's website. — Devi Shastri, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2021 Values are more important than relying on a curriculum vitae (CV) when hiring. — François Cazor, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021 Time travel is not likely to make it onto the curriculum vitae of most executives any time soon – but the ability to see into the future may. — Jean-marc Ollagnier, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2021 Consider the curriculum vitae of Mali’s coup plotters. — Quartz Africa, 30 Sep. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curriculum vitae.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About curriculum vitae

Dictionary Entries Near curriculum vitae

curriculum

curriculum vitae

currier

Statistics for curriculum vitae

Last Updated

13 Apr 2022

Cite this Entry

“Curriculum vitae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curriculum%20vitae. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA