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 alumni and alumnus 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 alumni and alumnus.

Quiz yourself on alumni vs. alumnus!

Should alumni or alumnus be used in the following sentence?

The five-year reunion is usually well attended by _____.

How to use alumni in a sentence

In 1989, he rejoined the Rangers front office, directing youth hockey clinics, leading the team’s alumni organization and attending every home game at Madison Square Garden, where he was constantly besieged for autographs.
Rod Gilbert, Hall of Fame hockey star called ‘Mr. Ranger,’ dies at 80|Matt Schudel|August 24, 2021|Washington Post
The second most-popular link according to Facebook, after the one to the Green Bay Packers alumni site, is an affiliate link to a shop selling CBD vapes.
Facebook Really Wants You To Believe Clickbait Memes Are More Popular Than Ben Shapiro|Billy Perrigo|August 19, 2021|Time
The defiant governor was at odds with the university’s board of trustees, alumni council, and student legislature as well as local newspapers, all of whom were advocating that the university abide by the ruling of the court.
How Robert F. Kennedy Shaped His Brother's Response to Civil Rights|Patricia Sullivan|August 11, 2021|Time
We hoped our petition would encourage the school’s alumni council to rethink Barr’s award.
How the next generation is reshaping political discourse|Kiara Royer|June 30, 2021|MIT Technology Review

A 1982 graduate of Milton Hershey School, he served as chair of the alumni association before being elected a member of the school’s board in 2011.
Hershey Profits Fund $17 Billion Endowment for Nonprofit School, but Board Member Says It Won’t Let Him See Financial Records|by Bob Fernandez, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Charlotte Keith, Spotlight PA|April 16, 2021|ProPublica
The show has gone on as those alumni have gone on to great things.
The Ladies of Second City Read Grindr Hookup Messages|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A sobering article on gang rape inside a UVA fraternity has Wahoo alumni like myself up in arms.
How UVA Is Failing Its Women|Allison McNearney|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The streets are packed with tailgaters that include not only current undergrads, but devoted alumni.
How The University of Wisconsin Badgers Are Bucking the Big Ten Ticket Flop|Brian Weidy|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Everyone wanted to keep Winston on the field, racking up wins and alumni donations.
Hey NFL Fans: Ray Rice Isn’t the Problem. You Are.|Steve Almond|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And selecting Samberg as host meant that, perhaps more than other SNL alumni, it was going to be more offbeat episode of SNL.
Andy Samberg's ‘SNL’ Finale Was Wonderfully Weird|Kevin Fallon|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Occasionally, the Alumni of the college may elect some of the Trustees.
Colleges in America|John Marshall Barker
This board consists of thirty-two members, elected by the Alumni.
Colleges in America|John Marshall Barker
In 1413 King Ladislaus excepted the Salernian alumni and professors from all taxes, duties, and tribute.
An Epitome of the History of Medicine|Roswell Park
Clemens attended a Yale alumni dinner that winter and incidentally visited Twichell in Hartford.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine
At the business meeting it was determined to begin an Alumni fund, in aid either of members of the Association or the College.
The American Missionary -- Volume 39, No. 08, August, 1885|Various

alumni

Words nearby alumni

ALUMNI VS. ALUMNUS VS. ALUM VS. ALUMNA VS. ALUMNAE

What’s the difference between alumni and alumnus?

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Words related to alumni

How to use alumni in a sentence