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

Domingo is one of only three professional actors in the cast, which is otherwise made up alumni of the RTA program. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024

Dan Freedman is the Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for Lionsgate, and an alumnus of the University of Arizona and Loyola Law School. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

This year, Caress furthered this commitment by honoring inspiring alumni of the Dreams Fund as Caress Dream Fund Alumni Ambassadors. —Jennifer Ford, Essence, 11 Dec. 2024

This fact has something to do with Day of Thanks, as Hillsdale’s executive director of alumni relations Colleen McGinness explained to The Center Square. —Tate Miller | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Dec. 2024

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