Did you know?
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
Simone Melvin, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
An alumna of Staples High School in Westport, Porter plays The Kate in Old Saybrook on Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. $54.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Nov. 2024
Valley native and American Idol alumna Jordin Sparks is back on the silver screen as the host of a new roller skating competition show.
—Jessica Boehm, Axios, 10 Oct. 2024
Warnock’s words were similar to his message earlier that day at a magnet school with a student body that is three-quarters Black and counts Diana Ross as an alumna.
—Philip Eliott / Detroit, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alumna 
Dictionary Entries Near alumna
Cite this Entry
“Alumna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumna. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy Citation
Share