ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alumni

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //əˈɫəmˌnaɪ// UK //ɐlˈʌmni// alum·ni

n. the group of people who have graduated from a specific school, college, or university. You use this word to talk about former students as a collective group.

n. the collective body of former students who have graduated from an educational institution. Plural in form; the singular is 'alumnus' for a male or 'alumna' for a female, though 'alum' is common in informal contexts.


SIMPLE

The university invites all alumni to the homecoming game.

CONTEXTUAL

The school relies on its alumni for donations and to mentor current students entering the workforce.

COMPLEX

The prestigious institution boasts an impressive network of alumni, including several Nobel laureates and former heads of state who frequently return for guest lectures.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin alumni.

Usage

Technically a plural noun, it is frequently treated as a collective group. While 'alumni' refers to a mixed-gender or all-male group, 'alumnae' is the specific plural for a group of women.

Pitfall

He is a famous alumni of our schoolHe is a famous alumnus of our schoolAlumni is the plural form; use alumnus for a single male or alumna for a single female.

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