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

George, Vick and Jackson aren’t the only high-profile NFL alumni strolling college sidelines. —Matt Baker, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025

Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2025

Listen to this article Jones High School’s graduation, held for at least a decade at the nearby Kia Center, is slated this year for the University of Central Florida, a miles-away location that has upset some parents and alumni. —Steven Walker, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2025

Inevitably for the BAFTAs, there was a Harry Potter reunion… Ralph Fiennes wasn’t the only Hogwarts alumnus in attendance tonight. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 17 Feb. 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