Alumnus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Alumnus" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a male graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university. Example: "As an alumnus of Harvard University, he often returns to give guest lectures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But soon afterwards he joined the Spanish-based international brand consultancy Saffron, started by a Wolff Olins alumnus, Jacob Benbunan, as a hands-on chairman.

The Guardian

Related: All 68 NCAA tournament schools ranked by coolest alumnus We could hardly believe our good fortune when, for the first time in history, each of the four No1 seeds made the Final Four.

The Guardian - Sport

The Voice alumnus scored a breakout hit with God Made Girls, which proved as popular as it was divisive, and her debut EP is filled with similar songs like For a Boy that take a wide-eyed approach to young love.

The Guardian - Music

You're an alumnus of the Alpha Iota chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

The Guardian - Music

"[Mackintosh] was driven by a lifelong search for new forms in architecture and technology and was never a copyist," says Alan Dunlop, a Mack alumnus and professor of architecture at Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University.

The Guardian - Arts

Perhaps no Idol alumnus has been more ubiquitously successful than Carrie Underwood, country music's most successful female star at the moment.

The Guardian - Music

MO'L He is the shock-haired, potty-mouthed, self-styled ambassador for the Outback; a talented Scots-born alumnus of Marco Pierre White's Hyde Park Hotel with a global TV series and a mission to play a key part in the creation of an authentic Australian cuisine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was hoping that my status as an alumnus, my fundraising track record with Amref (African Medical & Research Foundation) and the fact that I had bravely faced pre-marital wrath to take the interview, would outweigh my woeful knowledge of the higher education sector.

The Guardian

Rachel Siewert, Greens senator for WA and a UWA alumnus, told Guardian Australia that she was relieved the university had responded to pressure from its academics.

The Guardian

Click here to watch Back in the relatively halcyon days of 2013, The X Factor was so bereft of ideas that it made the contestants cover songs by previous contestants (oddly missing out 2004 alumnus Tabby Callaghan's presumptuously named single, Number One, or any songs from his subsequent album, Bread vs Art).

The Guardian - Music

Compare it to another Disney alumnus, Kiely Williams, of another multimillion dollar selling Disney product, The Cheetah Girls.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a group of former students, use "alumni" (plural form). For a single male graduate, use "alumnus"; for a single female graduate, use "alumna"; for a group of female graduates, use "alumnae"; for a mixed-gender group, use "alumni".

Common error

Avoid using "alumnus" as a plural form. The correct plural form is "alumni" for a group of male or mixed-gender graduates, and "alumnae" for a group of female graduates.

Linguistic Context

The word "Alumnus" functions primarily as a noun. It identifies a male graduate or former student of a school, college, or university. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing individuals associated with institutions, highlighting their past affiliation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "Alumnus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun to refer to a male graduate or former student of an educational institution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While alternatives such as "graduate" or "former student" exist, "Alumnus" specifically implies an ongoing connection or affiliation with the institution. Remember to use the correct plural forms: "alumni" for male or mixed-gender groups and "alumnae" for female groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Graduate

Refers to someone who has completed a course of study or training, often interchangeable with "alumnus".

Former student

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the past student status.

Ex-student

Similar to "former student", highlighting past enrollment.

Alum

An informal abbreviation of "alumnus".

Member of the alumni

A more descriptive phrase indicating belonging to the alumni community.

Old boy

An informal term, primarily used in British English, referring to a male former student.

Old girl

An informal term, primarily used in British English, referring to a female former student.

Graduating student

Indicates someone who is in the process of graduating.

Completer

Focuses on the completion of a program or course.

Past scholar

Emphasizes academic achievement during their time at the institution.

FAQs

What is the difference between "alumnus", "alumna", "alumni", and "alumnae"?

"Alumnus" is the singular masculine form, referring to one male graduate. "Alumna" is the singular feminine form, referring to one female graduate. "Alumni" is the plural form for a group of male graduates or a mixed-gender group. "Alumnae" is the plural form for a group of female graduates.

When should I use "alumnus" vs. "graduate"?

"Alumnus" refers specifically to someone who has already graduated and maintains a connection with their alma mater. "Graduate" simply indicates someone who has completed a course of study, without necessarily implying ongoing affiliation.

What is the correct plural form of "alumnus"?

The correct plural form is "alumni". It's used for a group of male graduates or a mixed-gender group. For a group of female graduates, the correct term is "alumnae".

Can I use "alum" instead of "alumnus"?

"Alum" is an informal abbreviation of "alumnus" and is acceptable in casual contexts. However, it's generally best to use the full word in formal writing.