Meaning and usage guide
alumnus vs alumni
Meaning, usage, pronunciation, and examples
Alumnus is traditionally one male graduate; alumni is the plural for male graduates or a mixed group. Alum is a common gender-neutral singular alternative.
Reference accent
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How to choose
Choose by number, then by the style you need
Traditional Latin forms remain common in formal institutional writing, while alum offers a simple neutral option.
One graduate
Use alumnus traditionally for one man, alumna for one woman, or alum as a gender-neutral singular.
Jordan is an alum of the university.
More than one graduate
Use alumni for men or a mixed group; alumnae is the traditional plural for a group of women.
The alumni returned for the reunion.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
The Latin-derived forms change by number and traditionally by gender: alumnus is one man, alumna one woman, alumni a group of men or a mixed group, and alumnae a group of women. Many institutions now use alum for one person and alums or alumni for groups when gender is irrelevant.
American English
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Word 1
alumnus
singular noun
Traditionally, one male former student or graduate of a school or university.
US pronunciation
/əˈlʌmnəs/
UK IPA
/əˈlʌmnəs/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Stress LUM, pronounce the written N, and finish with the relaxed syllable “nuhs.”
Word 2
alumni
plural noun
Former students or graduates, traditionally men or a group of mixed genders.
US pronunciation
/əˈlʌmnaɪ/
UK IPA
/əˈlʌmnaɪ/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Keep the stress on LUM and change the final syllable to “nye,” rhyming with “sky.”
Listen in context
6 example sentences
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Examples with
alumnus
- He is a proud alumnus of the college.
- The award went to a distinguished alumnus.
- Each alumnus received an invitation to the reunion.
Examples with
alumni
- Alumni from many countries joined the event.
- The university surveyed its alumni.
- Several alumni now mentor current students.
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