alumni
uh-LUM-nye
/əˈlʌm.naɪ/
Former students or graduates of a particular school, college, or university.
Refers collectively to the entire group of graduates, though traditionally 'alumni' is the masculine plural or general plural form.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin verb 'alere', meaning 'to nourish'. In Roman law, an 'alumnus' was a foster child who had been nourished and brought up by a guardian. Universities later adopted the term to describe graduates nurtured by the institution.
Word relationships
- graduates: 'Graduates' is a general English term, whereas 'alumni' specifically carries a institutional or traditional connotation.
- undergraduates: Students currently pursuing their first degree who have not yet graduated.
Commonly confused with
- alumnus: 'Alumnus' refers to one single male graduate, whereas 'alumni' refers to multiple graduates.
Word family
- alumnus (noun): A single male graduate.
- alumna (noun): A single female graduate.
Collocations
- alumni network
- alumni association
- distinguished alumni
- alumni donor
Example sentences
- "The university invited prominent alumni to speak at the annual career summit." Higher Education News
- "The alumni gathered under the ancient oaks, discussing years long passed." Literature
Memory hook
Think of ALL U MIGHT MEET at a university reunion: the alumni. Nourished minds who graduated together.
When not to use
Do not use 'alumni' to refer to a single person; a single male is an alumnus, and a single female is an alumna.
Fun facts
- In modern English, 'alumni' is increasingly used as a gender-neutral plural term for all graduates.
Related words
Explore more words
coeducation, single-sex, descendant, progeny, veteran, emeritus
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