What is the Difference Between Alumnus and Alumni?

The difference between "alumnus" and "alumni" lies in their plurality and gender. Here is a breakdown of the terms:

• Alumnus: This term refers to a singular male graduate or a former student of a particular educational institution.
• Alumni: This term refers to a plural group of male graduates or a mixed-gender group of graduates.

In addition to these terms, there are other variations based on gender and plurality:

• Alumna: This term refers to a singular female graduate.
• Alumnae: This term refers to a plural group of female graduates.
• Alum: This term is gender-neutral and can refer to a singular graduate.
• Alums: This term is plural and gender-neutral, referring to a group of graduates.

In professional settings, it is recommended to use the proper Latin terms "alumnus" and "alumni" for a singular male graduate and a group of male graduates, respectively. However, in casual conversations, the terms "alum" and "alums" can be used as gender-neutral alternatives.

Comparative Table: Alumnus vs Alumni

Here is a table comparing the differences between "alumnus" and "alumni":

Alumnus refers to a single male graduate, while alumni refers to a group of male graduates or a mixed-gender group of graduates. In summary:

• Use "alumnus" when referring to one male graduate.
• Use "alumni" when referring to a group of graduates, regardless of their gender.