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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
airmail.news, 1 June 2024
Cortez, an alumna of the 2024 Venice Biennale, launched a fund to support the house’s owners, Könitz and Peter Kim, and has thus far raised more than $20,000.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
In an industry where a 2% rate is excellent, the Rutgers nursing alumna engages with 12% of her community.
—Steven Bertoni, Forbes, 3 Apr. 2024
Western Arkansas Ballet alumna Kelsey Corder, currently a member of the American Midwest Ballet company in Omaha, Neb., dances the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy with Casey Kelley, also with American Midwest Ballet, as her Cavalier.
—Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 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 30 Jan. 2025.
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