alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs 

plural alumni ə-ˈləm-ˌnī 

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

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 alumnus in a Sentence

Her parents are alumni of the state university.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 Jan. 2025

Last year, the 2020 Under 30 alumni secured $1.05 billion in funding from Nvidia and Microsoft—the world’s largest companies—to build software that can make any car a self-driving car. —Alexandra York, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Assistant principal Paul Jordan was given the task of putting together donations Wednesday since Loyola has dozens of students and alumni living in areas affected by the fires. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

In addition, my own research suggests that alumni spend less time posting carefree photos and videos when they are forced to deal with the mundane responsibilities of a full-time job after graduation. —Bill Bergman, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

alumnus

noun

alum·​nus ə-ˈləm-nəs 

plural alumni -ˌnī 

: 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