Did you know?
Is it acceptable to use alum for alumnus or alumna?
The words that we have used to refer to people who have attended or graduated from a school, college, or university have changed a bit over the past several centuries. Traditionally, the word alumnus has been used to refer to a single male, whereas alumna has been used for a single woman. Initially the plural forms were alumni to refer to multiple men (or multiple men and women) and alumnae for multiple women. A little over a hundred years ago the shortened form of alum began to be used to describe a graduate or past attendee of either gender. Although many people feel that alum is informal, it is in increasing use, and we appear to be moving toward a greater acceptance of the word. The plural of alum is alums.
Examples of alum in a Sentence
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 15 June 2025
The popsicle entrepreneurs and 2018 Under 30 food & drink alums, Erik Brust and Connor Wray, are redefining the sweet treat market.
—Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
That means finding a younger generation of donors, and recruiting locals, or more alums, who want to pay student athletes for whatever reason.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
The Peacock alum’s team executed the particularly ubiquitous State Farm ad featuring Severance star Adam Scott, set in the series’ distinctive office and directed by Ben Stiller.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for alum
Cite this Entry
“Alum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alum. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
alum
noun
called also potassium alum
called also ammonia alum, ammonium alum
Share