noun
Uncommon
alum
AL-uhm
Alum (noun) means a crystalline mineral salt of aluminium, traditionally used in dyeing, tanning, and as an astringent. Example: “A stick of alum can be used to soothe small shaving cuts.”
noun
1
A crystalline mineral salt of aluminium, traditionally used in dyeing, tanning, and as an astringent.
"A stick of alum can be used to soothe small shaving cuts."
2
Informal term for a graduate or former student of a school or college.
"Several famous alums returned to speak at the reunion."
How to use alum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a mineral salt used in tanning and cooking, or a casual word for a graduate.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "alumni," which is specifically the plural form of graduates.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- alums, alumni
- Third person singular
- alums
- Past tense
- alumed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A stick of _____ can be used to soothe small shaving cuts.
Etymology
From Latin alumen via Anglo-Norman alum — unrelated in origin to the graduate sense, which is a modern short form of "alumnus/alumna."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for alum
See all rhymes for 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.
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