ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alumnus

n.
C1 Advanced US //əˈɫəmnəs// UK //ɐlˈʌmnəs// alum·nus

n. a former student of a school, college, or university. You use this word to describe someone who has finished their studies and left the institution.

n. a former student of a school, college, or university. Often used in formal or official contexts to refer to graduates.


SIMPLE

The university invited every alumnus to the graduation ceremony.

CONTEXTUAL

The college maintains a strong network of alumni who often return to give guest lectures or donate to the school.

COMPLEX

While the term 'alumnus' is technically correct for a male graduate, many institutions now use the gender-neutral 'alum' to ensure inclusivity in their communications.

Synonyms
Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin alumnus (“foster child, nourished one”).

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