Etymology Map
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Alumni

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means former students of a school, college or university

Where does the word "alumni" come from? It comes from Latin alumnus, adopted directly into English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
alumnus
Latin · ancient
"foster child, pupil"
a foster son or pupil, from 'alere', to nourish, the same verb behind 'alma mater'
2
Stage 2 of 2
alumni
English · 1640s
"graduates"
American colleges formed the first alumni associations in the early 1800s
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Read the full story

Alumni’s story begins in Latin: alumnus meant “foster child, pupil.” A foster son or pupil, from 'alere', to nourish, the same verb behind 'alma mater'. It reached English by 1640s as alumni. American colleges formed the first alumni associations in the early 1800s. Today, alumni means former students of a school, college or university.