alums
alums — 名詞
1. An informal, gender-neutral shortened version of "alumnus" or "alumna," used for
An informal, gender-neutral shortened version of "alumnus" or "alumna," used for a former student of an educational institution.
As a proud alum of Roosevelt High, Amina volunteers at the school's annual career fair.
pattern: alum of [institution]
The university magazine profiles one notable alum in each issue, highlighting their career achievements.
Sofia, a Cornell alum, goes back to Ithaca for homecoming games each autumn.
An alum created the scholarship fund to support students from low-income families.
Both of my parents are alums of the same university, where they first met.
- graduate
more formal and specific to someone who completed a degree
- former student
more neutral and descriptive; does not require graduation
- current student
someone still enrolled at the institution
- undergraduate
a student who has not yet graduated
文法句型
alum + of + [institution]
an alum from + [institution]
[institution] alum
用法筆記
Alum is gender-neutral — it replaces both alumnus (masculine) and alumna (feminine). The plural alums is increasingly preferred over alumni/alumnae in informal and inclusive contexts, especially in U.S. usage.
常見錯誤
2. A shortened form of "alumnus" used for someone who used to work for a particular
A shortened form of "alumnus" used for someone who used to work for a particular organisation, appear on a television show, or play for a sports team at an earlier point in their life.
Dr. Okonkwo worked on three Mars rover missions and is a proud NASA alum.
pattern: alum of [organisation]
The reality show brought back famous alums from past seasons to compete one more time.
Javier, a Peace Corps alum, still keeps in touch with the community where he taught.
The consulting firm holds networking dinners for alums who founded their own companies.
- former member
more general and transparent in meaning
- ex-employee
specifically for workplace contexts, slightly more formal
- current member
someone still working for or involved with the organisation
文法句型
alum + of + [organisation/show/team]
[organisation] alum
用法筆記
This sense extends the school-based meaning of alumnus to any institution, show, or team an individual was part of. In American English it is now common to call someone a "Microsoft alum" or a "Saturday Night Live alum" even if they never formally enrolled as a student there.
常見錯誤
alums — 名詞
1. A naturally occurring or manufactured compound that contains aluminium, used esp
A naturally occurring or manufactured compound that contains aluminium, used especially in traditional dyeing to make colour last on fabric, and in some skin-care or medical products for its ability to dry or tighten the skin.
The dyer added alum to hot water so the indigo would stick to cotton fibres.
collocation: alum as fixing agent in dyeing
Takuya dabbed a small alum block onto his shaving nick to stop the bleeding.
collocation: alum block for aftershave
In science class, the students grew clear, colourless alum crystals from a saturated solution.
Traditional recipes for natural fabric dye often call for alum as a fixing agent.
- potassium alum
the most common specific form of alum; a precise chemical term
- aluminium sulfate
a broader chemical category that includes some alums; used in industrial contexts
文法句型
alum as uncountable mass noun
countable: types or crystals of alum
用法筆記
Frequency determines countability: as a general substance alum is uncountable ("Alum is used in dyeing"), but distinct types or crystal formations are countable ("several alums were tested", "beautiful alums grew in the jar").