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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 alumna in a Sentence
Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
On the most recent episode of her Pod Meets World rewatch podcast, Fishel got into a heated argument with fellow Boy Meets World alumna Maitland Ward, who said she was hurt that Fishel allegedly refused to speak to her on the set of Girl Meets World.
—John Russell, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Roam, founded by La Jolla High School alumna Elyse Clark, opened to the public Nov. 30.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Brooklyn Nine-Nine alumna Stephanie Beatriz is part of the main casts of two series, Netflix’s Man on the Inside and in Peacock’s Twisted Metal.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alumna
Cite this Entry
“Alumna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumna. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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