"Alumni" is the gender neutral plural form of "alumnus" or "alumna." "Alum" is an informal term often used to refer to a person who has graduated from a particular school or university. It is a shortened form of "alumnus" (for males)  or "alumna (for females)."

What is an alumni?

"Alumni" is the plural form of the word "alumnus" (for a male) or "alumna" (for a female). These terms are used to refer to individuals who have graduated from a specific school, college, or university. "Alumni" is used when referring to a group of graduates, regardless of their gender. For example, "the alumni of Harvard University gathered for their annual reunion."

Example sentences

  1. The alumni association hosted a networking event for graduates of the university.
  2. Many alumni generously donate to the scholarship fund to support current students.
  3. The distinguished alumni award ceremony celebrated the achievements of our graduates.
  4. Alumni from various industries shared their career insights during a panel discussion.
  5. The university's alumni magazine features inspiring stories of accomplished graduates.
  6. Alumni often return to campus for homecoming festivities and reunions.
  7. The alumni database helps us stay in touch with former students.
  8. The annual alumni reunion brings together graduates from all over the world.
  9. The alumni chapter in New York City organizes monthly social events.
  10. Alumni contributions have played a crucial role in the growth and development of our institution.

Synonyms for alumni

Here are some synonyms for "alumni"

  1. Graduates
  2. Ex-students
  3. Former students
  4. Old boys (used for male alumni, especially in the context of all-male schools)
  5. Old girls (used for female alumni, especially in the context of all-female schools)
  6. Alumnus (singular) - This is the singular form of "alumni" and refers to one male graduate.
  7. Alumna (singular) - This is the singular form of "alumni" and refers to one female graduate.

What is an alum?

"Alum" is a more informal and abbreviated term for "alumnus" or "alumna." It is commonly used to refer to a single graduate, regardless of their gender. While "alum" is less formal, it is still widely accepted in both casual and professional contexts. For example, "she is an alum of Stanford University."

  1. Alum from our alma mater gathered for a nostalgic reunion last weekend.
  2. We had a blast catching up with fellow alum at the homecoming game.
  3. Our group of alum organized a charity fundraiser for our old school.
  4. It's always great to connect with alum on social media and reminisce about the good old days.
  5. The alum community is a valuable network for career opportunities and advice.
  6. I bumped into an old alum friend at the coffee shop this morning.
  7. Alum often share stories of their college experiences with incoming freshmen.
  8. The annual alum newsletter keeps us updated on the latest developments at the university.
  9. Our alum group is planning a destination reunion for next summer.
  10. We owe a lot of our success to the strong bonds formed among our fellow alum during college.

In summary, "alumni" is the plural form used when referring to a group of graduates, while "alum" is a singular and more informal term used for an individual who has completed their education at a particular institution. Both terms are used to celebrate and acknowledge a person's educational achievement and connection to their alma mater.


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Reference

‘Alumni’ vs. ‘Alumnus’
An accelerated course of study