alum

¹

[ al-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. Also called potash alum, a crystalline solid, aluminum potassium sulfate, K 2 SO 4 ⋅Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ⋅24H 2 O, used in medicine as an astringent and styptic, in dyeing and tanning, and in many technical processes.
2. one of a class of double sulfates analogous to aluminum potassium sulfate, as aluminum ammonium sulfate, having the general formula R 2 SO 4 ⋅X 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ⋅24H 2 O, where R is a univalent alkali metal or ammonium, and X one of a number of trivalent metals.
3. (not in technical use) aluminum sulfate ( def ).

alum

²

[ uh-luhm ]

noun

, Informal.

1. an alumna or alumnus:

   Nearly 45 of us alums went on a day trip on the river to celebrate graduation.

alum.

³

abbreviation for

, Chemistry.

1. aluminum.

alum

/ ˈæləm /

noun

1. Also calledpotash alum a colourless soluble hydrated double sulphate of aluminium and potassium used in the manufacture of mordants and pigments, in dressing leather and sizing paper, and in medicine as a styptic and astringent. Formula: K 2 SO 4 .Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 .24H 2 O
2. any of a group of isomorphic double sulphates of a monovalent metal or group and a trivalent metal. Formula: X 2 SO 4 .Y 2 (SO 4 ) 3 .24H 2 O, where X is monovalent and Y is trivalent

alum

/ ăl′əm /

1. Any of various crystalline double salts of a trivalent metal (such as aluminum, chromium, or iron) and a monovalent metal (such as potassium or sodium), especially aluminum potassium sulfate. Alum is widely used in industry as a hardener and purifier, and in medicine as an emetic and to stop bleeding.

Gender Note

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alum¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French, from Latin alūmen; replacing Old English alefne, ælifnæ, from Old Welsh (compare Medieval Welsh elyf ) < Latin alūmini- (stem of alūmen )

Origin of alum²

First recorded in 1875–80; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of alum¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin alūmen

Example Sentences

“One Tree Hill” alum Jana Kramer wrote Monday on an Instagram story that Teal was “always so sweet and kind and was so fun to work alongside,” USA Today reported.

From Los Angeles Times

In a tribute to her father, “Parks and Recreation” alum Rashida Jones, one of his seven children, said that Jones’ legacy is making “everyone he ever met feel loved and seen.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The Real Ghostbusters” alum said he has lost at least three family members to cancer, including his mother and sister.

From Los Angeles Times

During Trump’s first term in office, the “Fox & Friends” alum was at the center of a to get the president to pardon soldiers who had been accused or convicted of murder.

From Salon

A cause of death has been revealed for Iron Maiden alum Paul Di’Anno, who died last month at age 66.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alumna
• alumnus
• doctor
• grad
• recipient

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

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

The informal word alum refers to a graduate of a school, such as a high school or university. It’s a shortening of alumnus or alumna.

In Latin, alumnus specifically refers to a male graduate, and sometimes this distinction is carried into English, with alumna being used to refer to a female graduate. The plural of alumna is alumnae.

The plural of alumnus is alumni (which follows the plural ending construction used in other Latin-derived words, like stimulus and stimuli). Still, alumnus and alumni are both commonly used in a gender-neutral way.

Alum is also used regardless of gender. It’s sometimes pluralized as alums.

Here’s an example of alum and alumni used correctly in the same sentence.

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

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

Quiz yourself on alum vs. alumnus!

True or False? 

Alum and alumnus are both always used in a gender-neutral way.