curriculum vitae

noun cur·ric·u·lum vi·tae \ kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm-ˈvē-ˌtī , -kə-ləm- , -ˈwē-ˌtī , -ˈvī-ˌtē \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of curriculum vitae

plural curricula vitae play \kə-ˈri-kyə-lə-ˈvē-ˌtī, -kə-lə-, -ˈwē-ˌtī, -ˈvī-ˌtē\

: a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position

Applicants for the fellowship are asked to submit a curriculum vitae.

See curriculum vitae defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of curriculum vitae from the Web

There are other parts of his curriculum vitae that make the barons of golf cringe (and not undeservedly).

— tim layden, SI.com, "Patrick Reed Can't Be Denied as He Bucks Convention to Win at Augusta," 8 Apr. 2018
Jaeger is also currently working under another $1.4 million NSF grant, according to his curriculum vitae.

— emily atkin, New Republic, "Why Scientists Accused of Sexual Misconduct Can Still Get Government Grants," 25 Jan. 2018

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.

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.