alumnusalumna

Alumnusalumna is a portmanteau combining alumnus, the traditional term for a male graduate, and alumna, the term for a female graduate. It is sometimes used to refer to a graduate without specifying gender or to denote a group of graduates that includes all genders. The term is not widely adopted and does not appear in standard dictionaries.

Etymology and form: alumnus and alumna originate from Latin, where -us and -a mark masculine and feminine forms, respectively. The compound alumnusalumna highlights inclusive intent by merging the two gendered words into a single form. There is no uniform agreement on its spelling, capitalization, or usage, and variations such as alumnus-alumna or simply graduate are also seen.

Usage and reception: in practice, alumnusalumna appears mainly in informal contexts, campus newsletters, social media, or gender-inclusive discussions. In formal or academic writing, it is generally avoided in favor of more established terms. When referring to a mixed-gender group, many prefer alumni; for a female-only group, alumnae; for a single gender-neutral reference, graduate or alumnus/alumna with clear designation.

Alternatives and guidance: to emphasize inclusivity without creating new neologisms, writers often use phrases like all graduates, alumni and alumnae, or alumnus and alumna, depending on context. When a gender-neutral singular is needed, the word graduate is commonly suitable.

See also: alumnus, alumna, alumni, alumnae, graduate.