alum
3 synonyms for alum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A crystalline mineral salt of aluminium, traditionally used in dyeing, tanning, and as an astringent.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
potash alum
Etymology
From Latin alumen via Anglo-Norman alum — unrelated in origin to the graduate sense, which is a modern short form of "alumnus/alumna."
Full origin of alum →Frequently asked questions
What does “alum” mean?
The word “alum” means a crystalline mineral salt of aluminium, traditionally used in dyeing, tanning, and as an astringent. In plain terms, either a mineral salt used in tanning and cooking, or a casual word for a graduate.
How do you pronounce “alum”?
“Alum” is pronounced AL-uhm (/ˈæl.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “alum” in a sentence?
Here is “alum” used in a sentence: “A stick of alum can be used to soothe small shaving cuts.”
What is another word for “alum”?
Words with a similar meaning to “alum” include potash alum.
What part of speech is “alum”?
“Alum” is a noun.
Where does the word “alum” come from?
The word “alum” comes from Latin. From Latin alumen via Anglo-Norman alum — unrelated in origin to the graduate sense, which is a modern short form of "alumnus/alumna.".
Is “alum” a common word?
“Alum” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “alum” have?
“Alum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a crystalline mineral salt of aluminium, traditionally used in dyeing, tanning, and as an astringent.
