'alumni-friendly' is a modern English compound formed from 'alumni' (plural of 'alumnus') and 'friendly'. 'Alumnus' originates from Latin 'alumnus', where the root 'alere' meant 'to nourish'.

'alumnus' came into English via Medieval/Modern Latin as 'alumnus' and the plural 'alumni' was adopted in English; the adjective 'friendly' comes from Old English 'freond' (friend) + the adjectival suffix '-ly', and the compound 'alumni-friendly' formed in contemporary English to describe policies or attitudes toward alumni.

Originally 'alumnus' meant 'foster son' or 'pupil' in Latin; over time it shifted to mean 'a former student or graduate' in English, so 'alumni-friendly' has come to mean 'friendly toward former students/graduates'.