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

Amalia Holguin, Sage Hill: The 5-foot-9 junior point guard carries on the Mambas’ legacy at Sage Hill after four alumni of Kobe Bryant’s youth team graduated. —Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 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, 4 Nov. 2024

Charlie is a Core Writer at the Playwrights’ Center, and a member, past fellow, or alumni of Ensemble Studio Theater’s Youngblood, Ars Nova Play Group, Page 73’s Writers Group, The Lark, and the Catwalk Writer’s Residency, among others. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024

Producer Will Packer, singer-actor Fantasia Barrino and gospel superstar Hezekiah Walker are among the notables who will be celebrated at the 2nd annual HBCU Honors, which recognize prominent alumni of HBCU institutions. —William Earl, Variety, 1 Nov. 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