alumnus
noun
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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
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2025
In addition, this section of the bill specifies that at least five members of the board must be IU alumni.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The event was started by NFL alumnus Paul Salata, who had a brief career with the San Francisco 49ers, to celebrate players like himself who might otherwise go unremarked upon and tend to have shorter careers.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2025
Her association with fellow Comedy Store alumni such as Rogan and Tim Dillon was by no means new, but the overlap in their audiences perhaps was.
—Kerry Howley, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alumnus
Cite this Entry
“Alumnus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumnus. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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alumnus
noun
Latin, literally "foster son," from alere "to nourish" — related to alimentary, alma mater
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