How to pronounce alumnus
Say it like uh-LUHM-nus. Alumnus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alumnus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- LUHM
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alumnus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of alumnus
American and British speakers say alumnus in essentially the same way: /əˈlʌmnəs/ in the US and /əˈlʌmnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-LUHM-nus.
What does alumnus mean?
- A male pupil or student.
- A male graduate.
- A student of any gender.
Where does alumnus come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin alumnus (“foster child, nourished one”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with alumnus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of alumnus.
Questions about saying alumnus
How do you pronounce alumnus?
Say uh-LUHM-nus. The American pronunciation is /əˈlʌmnəs/. In British English it is /əˈlʌmnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alumnus?
Alumnus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LUHM). Broken into parts: uh · LUHM · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say alumnus the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈlʌmnəs/ and the British form is /əˈlʌmnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.