Have you ever read a university brochure or an alumni magazine and stumbled on the word alumnus? Maybe you wondered: What does it mean? And how do you make it plural? If so, you’re not alone! Many people, including native English speakers, get confused about this word.

That’s because alumnus comes from Latin, not modern English. Latin words often follow different grammar rules, which makes them a little tricky. But don’t worry we’re going to break it down step by step. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what the plural of alumnus is, how to use it in real life, and even learn some fun facts to impress your friends.

Let’s dive in!

What Does “Alumnus” Mean?

Before we talk about the plural, let’s understand the singular form.

The word alumnus refers to someone who has graduated from a school, college, or university. It’s a fancy way of saying “former student.”

For example:

• “John is an alumnus of Harvard University.”
• “She is proud to be an alumnus of her local college.”

In short, if you went to a school in the past and finished your studies there, you are considered an alumnus of that school.

What Is the Plural of Alumnus?

Now for the main question!

The plural of alumnus is alumni.

Yes, it changes completely because of its Latin origin. Instead of simply adding “s” at the end (like we do with many English words), we switch alumnus → alumni.

For example:

• “The alumni of Oxford often attend yearly reunions.”
• “Our school’s alumni are spread across the world.”

So remember: one alumnus, many alumni.

Why Isn’t It Just “Alumnuses”?

Great question! Normally in English, we just add an “s” to make something plural:

• cat → cats
• book → books
• student → students

But words like alumnus come from Latin, and in Latin, the ending changes differently. Words ending in -us usually turn into -i in the plural form.

Other examples include:

• cactus → cacti
• fungus → fungi
• stimulus → stimuli

So alumnus follows the same rule.

Is Alumni Singular or Plural?

This is where people often get confused.

Alumni is plural. It refers to more than one former student. If you’re talking about only one, you should say alumnus (for a man) or alumna (for a woman).

Examples:

• “He is an alumnus of Yale.” (singular, male)
• “She is an alumna of Stanford.” (singular, female)
• “They are alumni of Cambridge.” (plural, mixed group or all male)
• “The alumnae of the college celebrated their 10-year reunion.” (plural, female-only group)

Wait! What’s Alumna and Alumnae?

Good catch! Let’s break it down:

• Alumnus = one male graduate
• Alumna = one female graduate
• Alumni = more than one graduate (all male or mixed male and female)
• Alumnae = more than one female graduate

Examples in sentences:

• “Mark is an alumnus of Princeton.”
• “Sarah is an alumna of UCLA.”
• “John and Sarah are alumni of MIT.”
• “The women at the event were proud alumnae of their university.”

So while alumnus and alumna are singular, alumni and alumnae are plural.

Can You Just Say “Alums”?

Yes! In casual English, especially in the United States, people often say alum (singular) and alums (plural).

It’s shorter, easier, and avoids confusion about gender. Many schools even use the word “alumni” to mean everyone, but “alum” is becoming more common in everyday conversations.

Examples:

• “I met an alum of my university at the conference.”
• “Our college is hosting a dinner for all alums this weekend.”

So if you’re ever unsure, “alum” is a safe and modern choice.

Where Did the Word Alumnus Come From?

Here’s a little history. The word alumnus comes from Latin, where it meant “foster son” or “pupil.” It’s related to the Latin verb alere, which means “to nourish” or “to foster.”

Over time, English borrowed the word to mean “a former student.” That’s why it still keeps the Latin plural form instead of following English rules.

Real-Life Examples of Alumni

Let’s see some real sentences you might hear or read:

• “The alumni of the university donated funds for a new library.”
• “She is an alumna of a well-known law school.”
• “The alumnae of the college organized a mentorship program for current students.”
• “Our company has hired many alumni from this engineering school.”
• “I met an alum who studied the same subject as me.”

These examples show how flexible the word can be, depending on whether you’re being formal, casual, or gender-specific.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using alumni as singular
   • Incorrect: “He is an alumni of Harvard.”
   • Correct: “He is an alumnus of Harvard.”
2. Forgetting about alumna and alumnae
   • If you’re talking about women specifically, alumna (singular) and alumnae (plural) are the right terms.
3. Overcomplicating it
   • If you’re unsure, just say “alum” (singular) or “alums” (plural). It’s widely accepted.

Quick Reference Chart

Here’s a handy chart to summarize:

• Alumnus → singular, male graduate
• Alumna → singular, female graduate
• Alumni → plural, male or mixed graduates
• Alumnae → plural, female graduates
• Alum/Alums → informal, gender-neutral alternative

Fun Facts About Alumni

• Many universities have alumni associations, which are groups of former students who stay connected, support the school, and network with each other.
• The word alumnus is often used in speeches, invitations, and official documents because it sounds formal and prestigious.
• Some schools even have “alumni awards” to honor graduates who achieve great things.
• The rise of “alum” in casual speech shows how language keeps evolving to become simpler and more inclusive.

Why Does This Matter?

You might be thinking, Do I really need to know this? The answer is yes especially if you’re in academic, professional, or formal settings. Using the right form of alumnus shows attention to detail and respect for tradition. It also helps you sound more confident when writing resumes, biographies, or professional emails.

Plus, if you ever attend a reunion or read about a famous graduate, you’ll understand exactly what the words mean.

Conclusion

So, let’s recap what we learned:

• The singular form is alumnus (male) or alumna (female).
• The plural is alumni (mixed group or male) and alumnae (female-only group).
• In casual English, you can say alum (singular) and alums (plural).
• These words come from Latin, which is why they don’t follow simple English rules.
• Knowing the difference makes you sound polished, informed, and confident.

Next time you hear the word alumni, you’ll know exactly what it means and how to use it. And if you’re ever stuck, just remember: one alumnus, many alumni or simply, one alum, many alums. Easy, right?

So, are you an alumnus, an alumna, or maybe one of the proud alumni of your school?