alumna

[ uh-luhm-nuh ]

noun

, plural a·lum·nae [uh, -, luhm, -nee].

1. a woman who is a graduate or former student of a specific school, college, or university.

alumna

/ əˈlʌmnə /

noun

1. a female graduate of a school, college, etc

Gender Note

What's the difference between alumna, alumnus, and alum? See alumnus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alumna¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–45; from Latin: literally, “foster daughter, pupil”; feminine of alumnus

Word History and Origins

Origin of alumna¹

C19: feminine of alumnus

Example Sentences

Disney Channel alumna Skai Jackson is all grown up and starting a family of her own.

From Los Angeles Times

If that comes to pass, there would be another milestone to toast: Kamala Harris, a Howard alumna, would become the first president to graduate from a historically Black college or university.

From Los Angeles Times

The ‘Game of Thrones’ alumna and the Jonas Brothers singer, who share two daughters, finalized their divorce last week.

From Los Angeles Times

The “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” alumna carries on with her Guts world tour weeks after she made her debut in the Philippines.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer,” the “Boy Meets World” alumna, 43, said Monday on her “Pod Meets World” podcast.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alum
• graduate

Alumna Vs. Alumnae Vs. Alumnus Vs. Alumni Vs. Alum

What’s the difference between alumna, alumnus, and alumni?

An alumna is a female graduate of a school, such as a high school or university.

In Latin, alumnus specifically refers to a male graduate, and sometimes this distinction is carried into English. However, alumnus is also commonly used in a gender-neutral way, as is its plural, alumni.

What is the plural of alumna?

The plural of alumna is alumnae. This follows the plural ending construction used in other Latin-derived words, like antenna and antennae.

The informal shortening alum is used to refer to a single graduate (regardless of gender). It’s sometimes pluralized as alums.

Here’s an example of alumna and alumnae used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: As an alumna, you share something with all of the alumnae, regardless of when each of you graduated. 

Want to learn more? Read the breakdown of the difference between alumnus and alumni.

Quiz yourself on alumna vs. alumnae!

Should alumna or alumnae be used in the following sentence?

The five-year reunion is usually well attended by _____.