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alumnus
[ uh-luhm-nuhs ]
noun
- a graduate or former student of a specific school, college, or university, especially a man:
As an alumnus of this university myself, I am proud to dedicate its new building.
- a former associate, employee, member, or the like:
He invited all the alumni of the library staff to the party.
alumnus
/ əˈʌə /
noun
- a graduate of a school, college, etc
Gender Note
Word History and Origins
Origin of alumnus1
Word History and Origins
Origin of alumnus1
Example Sentences
Many Southern California high school football programs have distinguished roll calls when it comes to alumni who have made it to the NFL, but one of those schools achieved something remarkable Thursday night.
The veteran has admired the Notre Dame alumnus since he entered the league.
"She really is a true role model –for deaf individuals of any age, and most definitely for The Elizabeth Foundation's deaf children, parents, alumni, volunteers and staff."
Many students and alumni lauded the university's decision to stand its ground, despite the consequences.
On this series, Hamm, the Emmy award-winning “Mad Men” alumnus, plays Andrew, an abruptly fired hedge-fund manager and divorced dad who begins burglarizing his own affluent community to keep up his lavish lifestyle.
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Alumnus Vs. Alumni Vs. Alumna Vs. Alumnae Vs. Alum
’s the difference between alumnus and alumni?
An alumnus is a graduate of a school, such as a high school or university. The plural of alumnus is alumni (which follows the plural ending construction used in other Latin-derived words, like stimulus and stimuli).
In Latin, alumnus specifically refers to a male graduate, and sometimes this distinction is carried into English, with alumna being used to refer to a female graduate. The plural of alumna is alumnae.
Still, alumnus and alumni are both commonly used in a gender-neutral way.
The informal shortening alum is used to refer to a single graduate (regardless of gender). It’s sometimes pluralized as alums.
Here’s an example of alumnus and alumni used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: As an alumnus, you share something with all of the alumni, regardless of when each of you graduated.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between alumnus and alumni.
Quiz yourself on alumnus vs. alumni!
Should alumnus or alumni be used in the following sentence?
The five-year reunion is usually well attended by _____.
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