alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
plural alumni ə-ˈləm-ˌnī How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
1
: a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
an alumnus of Columbia University
usually used of a man in the singular but often of men and women in the plural
2
: a person who is a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate
a Saturday Night Live alumnus

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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 alumnus in a Sentence

Her parents are alumni of the state university.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The son of two basketball players, Santos is one of several Basketball Without Borders alumni in the league now. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 The work to restore Tennessee State University's standing is personal for Tucker and the board of trustees, all of whom are alumni. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025 The complaints grew out of a tumultuous period for Harvard, which faced backlash from alumni, donors and the U.S. Congress over its response to the Oct. 7 attacks and resulting Pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. Emma Whitford, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 All three were alumni of the CAPE Leaders Fellowship. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for alumnus 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "male nursing child, man produced by some formative agent (as a nation or race)," from alere "to nourish" + -mn-, mediopassive participle suffix — more at old entry 1

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alumnus was in 1645

Dictionary Entries Near alumnus

Cite this Entry

“Alumnus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumnus. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

alumnus

noun
alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
plural alumni -ˌnī How to pronounce alumnus (audio)
: a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
Etymology

Latin, literally "foster son," from alere "to nourish" — related to alimentary, alma mater

More from Merriam-Webster on alumnus

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