alumna
Origin of alumna
usage note for alumna
Words nearby alumna
ALUMNA VS. ALUMNAE VS. ALUMNUS VS. ALUMNI VS. ALUM
What’s the difference between alumna, alumnus, and alumni?
An alumna is a female graduate of a school, such as a high school or university.
In Latin, alumnus specifically refers to a male graduate, and sometimes this distinction is carried into English. However, alumnus is also commonly used in a gender-neutral way, as is its plural, alumni.
What is the plural of alumna?
The plural of alumna is alumnae. This follows the plural ending construction used in other Latin-derived words, like antenna and antennae.
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 alumna and alumnae used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: As an alumna, you share something with all of the alumnae, regardless of when each of you graduated.
Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between alumnus and alumni.
Quiz yourself on alumna vs. alumnae!
Should alumna or alumnae be used in the following sentence?
The five-year reunion is usually well attended by _____.