alum
1Origin of alum
1Words nearby alum
Other definitions for alum (2 of 3)
Origin of alum
2usage note for alum
Other definitions for alum (3 of 3)
ALUM VS. ALUMNUS VS. ALUMNI VS. ALUMNA VS. ALUMNAE
What’s the difference between alum, alumnus, and alumni?
The informal word alum refers to a graduate of a school, such as a high school or university. It’s a shortening of alumnus or alumna.
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.
The plural of alumnus is alumni (which follows the plural ending construction used in other Latin-derived words, like stimulus and stimuli). Still, alumnus and alumni are both commonly used in a gender-neutral way.
Alum is also used regardless of gender. It’s sometimes pluralized as alums.
Here’s an example of alum and alumni used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: As an alum, you share something with all of the alumni, regardless of when each of you graduated.
Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between alumnus and alumni.
Quiz yourself on alum vs. alumnus!
True or False?
Alum and alumnus are both always used in a gender-neutral way.