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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
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
The 30 Rock alum emphasized that there is more to the story.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Starring the Succession alum opposite Steve Coogan, Brian and Maggie (previously Brian and Margaret) tells the story of when interviewer Brian Walden and the Iron Lady came together for her last ever TV interview.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Under 30 alum and cover star Alex Cooper is making headlines.
—Alexandra York, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Alum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alum. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
alum
noun
called also potassium alum
called also ammonia alum, ammonium alum
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