alumnus
noun
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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 alumnus in a Sentence
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
The goal then was to provide a sports event in the Midwest for alumni of Black colleges, as well as encourage Hoosier Black youths to attend college.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Sep. 2024
Verified students, select alumni, and government officials can save 50% on their first four boxes.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 28 Sep. 2024
But those conversations have been limited to the school's 24 board members, which include current parents and alumni from both campuses, and a task force of 20 people who studied the school's two-campus model.
—Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alumnus 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alumnus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Alumnus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alumnus. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
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alumnus
noun
Latin, literally "foster son," from alere "to nourish" — related to alimentary, alma mater
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