curriculum vitae

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum vi·​tae kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm-ˈvē-ˌtī How to pronounce curriculum vitae (audio)
-kə-ləm-,
-ˈwē-ˌtī,
-ˈvī-ˌtē How to pronounce curriculum vitae (audio)
plural curricula vitae kə-ˈri-kyə-lə-ˈvē-ˌtī How to pronounce curriculum vitae (audio)
-kə-lə-,
-ˈwē-ˌtī,
-ˈvī-ˌtē
: a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position
Applicants for the fellowship are asked to submit a curriculum vitae.

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The Different Plural Forms of Curriculum

Curriculum is from New Latin (a post-medieval form of Latin used mainly in churches and schools and for scientific coinages), in which language it means “a course of study.” It shares its ultimate root in classical Latin, where it meant “running” or “course” (as in “race course”), with words such as corridor, courier, and currency, all of which come from Latin currere “to run.”

As is the case with many nouns borrowed directly from Latin, there is often some confusion as to the proper way to form its plural. Both curricula and curriculums are considered correct.

This word is frequently seen in conjunction with vitae; a curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of (one’s) life”) is “a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position” – in other words, a résumé. Curriculum vitae is abbreviated CV, and is pluralized as curricula vitae.

Examples of curriculum vitae in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His 2016 curriculum vitae listed seven golf club memberships, including Augusta National (founded by Jones), and nine former golf club memberships. Robert D. Hershey Jr., New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Mere footnotes at the bottom of Brady’s pigskin curriculum vitae. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 There is an exchange of anecdotes rather than information—a focus on that part of you that is separate from your curriculum vitae. Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023 In a career spanning more than two decades, Dr. Cook has written about topics ranging from banking systems in developing economies to policy prescriptions for supporting Americans and small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to her curriculum vitae. Amara Omeokwe, WSJ, 1 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for curriculum vitae 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curriculum vitae.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, course of (one's) life

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curriculum vitae was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near curriculum vitae

Cite this Entry

“Curriculum vitae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curriculum%20vitae. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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