What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
anciens
Example
The ancients of the club gathered for a reunion to reminisce about old times. [anciens: noun]
Example
The ancien members of the team were invited to attend the championship game. [ancien: adjective]
alumni
Example
The alumni association organized a fundraising event for the school. [alumni: noun]
Example
She is an alumni of Harvard University. [alumni: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alumni is more commonly used than anciens in English, especially in academic and professional contexts. Anciens is more commonly used in French-speaking countries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between anciens and alumni?
Alumni is more formal than anciens, as it is often used in academic and professional settings. Anciens is more informal and can have a nostalgic or sentimental connotation.
