What’s the Plural of Syllabus? Syllabuses or Syllabi?

A syllabus is a structured document provided to students at the beginning of a course, outlining the essential components of the class. It typically includes the course description, learning objectives, reading materials, weekly topics, assignment deadlines, and grading policies. When referring to more than one, the correct plural form becomes important. Interestingly, both syllabuses and syllabi are considered grammatically correct, with syllabuses following standard English rules and syllabi reflecting Latin origins.

There’s something delightfully curious about how certain words evolve in English, especially when they borrow from classical languages like Latin or Greek. The plural forms of words ending in “-us” often spark debate, adding a layer of linguistic charm and intellectual appeal. This playful blend of tradition and adaptation keeps language learners and grammar enthusiasts hooked—and this particular word is no exception.

The word “syllabus” has an unexpected and fascinating history that traces back to a printing error in a Latin manuscript. Over time, English speakers adopted both syllabuses and syllabi into modern academic language. Whether you’re a student, educator, or language lover, understanding the dual plural forms can enrich your vocabulary and sharpen your grammatical awareness. Students often wonder about the plural of syllabus syllabuses or syllabi—both are technically correct.

Introduction

The start of every semester brings a flurry of class materials, and at the heart of these are those crucial documents outlining expectations, assignments, and schedules. But when referring to more than one, do you say “syllabuses” or “syllabi”? This isn’t just academic nitpicking—using the correct plural form matters in professional writing, academic papers, and everyday communication.

Both forms appear in modern usage, which only adds to the confusion. Some professors insist on “syllabi,” while style guides might recommend “syllabuses.” What’s a writer to do?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both forms, trace the surprising origins of this common academic term, and provide clear guidance on which plural you should use in different contexts. Whether you’re writing a dissertation, creating course materials, or simply curious about language evolution, you’ll find your answer here.

The Origins of “Syllabus” – A Surprising Etymology

The history of “syllabus” is more fascinating—and controversial—than you might expect. While many assume it’s straightforward Latin, the truth involves a 500-year-old typographical error!

Originally, the word derived from the Greek “sittybas” (σίττυβας), referring to a label or table of contents. However, when Cicero’s letters were printed in 1470, a misreading of the Greek word “sittybas” led to “syllabus” appearing in print.

This printing error took on a life of its own, becoming standardized in academic language. By the 1650s, “syllabus” had evolved to mean a compendium or list, and by the 1800s, it had adopted its current meaning as a course outline. The debate over the plural of syllabus—syllabuses or syllabi—came up during the English class.

“The syllabus represents perhaps the only instance in the English language where a typographical error became standardized vocabulary.” – Dr. Elizabeth Wardle, Professor of Written Communication

This unusual origin directly impacts the plural debate—if “syllabus” isn’t truly Latin in origin but rather a misreading, should it follow Latin pluralization rules?

Syllabuses vs. Syllabi: The Grammar Showdown

Let’s settle this once and for all: both “syllabuses” and “syllabi” are correct. However, they each have different linguistic justifications and contexts where they might be preferred.

Here’s how they stack up:

Form	Justification	Popularity	Style Guide Preference
Syllabuses	English naturalization	Growing in usage	Preferred by AP Style, many UK guides
Syllabi	Latin tradition	Traditional academic standard	Preferred in formal academic writing

Current usage statistics show interesting trends. In American academic writing, “syllabi” remains more common, appearing in approximately 64% of academic journal articles. However, “syllabuses” has gained ground, particularly in British English and digital contexts.

The plural of syllabus debate reflects a broader pattern in English—the tension between traditional Latin pluralization and the natural tendency of English to regularize foreign words. Words like “cactus” (cacti/cactuses) and “focus” (foci/focuses) face similar questions.

Regional differences also play a role. British English tends to favor “syllabuses,” while American English has traditionally preferred “syllabi,” though this gap is narrowing as language evolves.

The Case for “Syllabuses”

The argument for “syllabuses” centers on English naturalization—the process by which foreign words become integrated into English grammar rules. When words become fully absorbed into everyday English, they often adopt standard English pluralization patterns.

“Syllabuses” follows the regular English plural formation: adding “-es” to words ending in “-us.” This form provides consistency with other naturalized words and feels more intuitive to many English speakers.

Major publications like The Guardian and The Economist have style guides that recommend “syllabuses.” The Oxford English Dictionary recognizes it as the primary form, and the AP Stylebook directly recommends “syllabuses” over “syllabi.”

Here’s what makes “syllabuses” appealing:

• Consistency with English pluralization patterns
• Easier pronunciation for native English speakers
• Growing acceptance in academic publishing
• Simplified approach to technical writing

Harvard University’s writing center notes that “syllabuses” has become increasingly common in academic writing since the 1980s, representing a shift toward linguistic simplification.

The Case for “Syllabi”

Despite the growing popularity of “syllabuses,” “syllabi” remains entrenched in academic tradition. This form follows Latin pluralization rules, where “-us” endings change to “-i” in the plural.

“Syllabi” carries an air of academic formality and tradition. For institutions and disciplines that value classical education, this form signals scholarly precision and historical continuity.

Many academic style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style, accept both forms but note that “syllabi” remains common in formal academic contexts. The plural of syllabus as “syllabi” connects to a tradition of Latin-influenced academic language that includes terms like “alumni,” “fungi,” and “stimuli.”

Supporters of “syllabi” point to:

• Traditional academic usage spanning centuries
• Consistency with other Latin-derived academic terms
• Disciplinary conventions in fields like classics and law
• Stylistic preference for shorter, concise forms

Dr. James Murphy, Professor of Linguistics at Boston College, explains: “The ‘syllabi’ form represents academic tradition and the historical connection between classical languages and higher education. Though language evolves, this form maintains cultural continuity in academic contexts.”

The Syllaboi Controversy

You might occasionally encounter “syllaboi” in online discussions or casual academic humor. This isn’t actually a legitimate plural form—it’s a linguistic joke that has gained some internet popularity.

“Syllaboi” playfully applies Greek pluralization patterns to a word that never actually followed those rules. The “-oi” ending comes from Greek plurals, but since “syllabus” isn’t actually Greek (despite its tangled etymology), this form has no grammatical basis. When editing the report, she paused to Google the plural of syllabus: syllabuses or syllabi?

The term has become something of an internet meme in academic circles, often used ironically to highlight the absurdity of linguistic pedantry. You might see it in tweets from professors or academic humor accounts, but you should never use it in formal writing.

While humorous, “syllaboi” serves as a reminder that language is constantly evolving, often in playful and unexpected ways. The very existence of this joke form underscores how the plural of syllabus has become a recognized linguistic conundrum worthy of wordplay.

Beyond -us: Navigating Other Tricky Latin Plurals

The syllabus debate isn’t unique—English has dozens of words ending in “-us” with contested plural forms. Understanding these patterns can help you navigate similar grammatical questions.

Here’s a quick reference guide:

Singular	Traditional Plural	Anglicized Plural	Notes
Cactus	Cacti	Cactuses	Both widely accepted
Campus	Campi	Campuses	“Campuses” now standard
Octopus	Octopi	Octopuses	“Octopodes” also exists (Greek origin)
Focus	Foci	Focuses	“Foci” in scientific contexts
Radius	Radii	Radiuses	“Radii” more common in mathematics
Stimulus	Stimuli	Stimuluses	“Stimuli” strongly preferred
Fungus	Fungi	Funguses	“Fungi” standard in scientific writing

The pattern reveals an important trend: words that have become more commonplace tend to adopt English pluralization, while technical or scientific terms often retain Latin forms.

For the plural of syllabus, this suggests that as the word becomes more integrated into everyday language beyond academia, “syllabuses” may continue gaining ground.

Examples in Context: How They’re Used in Real Life

Let’s look at how these forms appear in various real-world contexts:

Academic Publishing:

“The department requires all syllabi to be submitted two weeks before the semester begins.” (Journal of Higher Education)

University Policies:

“Harvard University encourages professors to make their syllabuses available online.” (Harvard Gazette)

Email Communication:

“Please review all course syllabi before our meeting on Thursday.” (Department Chair email)

Conference Presentations:

“Our analysis of 200 engineering syllabuses revealed inconsistent approaches to academic integrity policies.” (Conference proceedings)

Learning Management Systems:

“Upload your syllabi to the Canvas system before orientation week.” (IT department guide)

Each of these examples shows acceptable usage, with subtle context clues about formality and audience. The plural of syllabus varies by setting, with more traditional academic contexts favoring “syllabi” and more public-facing communications increasingly using “syllabuses.” During the meeting, the professor clarified the plural of syllabus: syllabuses or syllabi, depending on preference. While syllabi is more common in academia, syllabuses is also accepted as the plural of syllabus.

Digital Age Considerations

In our digital world, the choice between “syllabuses” and “syllabi” has practical implications beyond grammar. When creating websites, digital repositories, or searchable databases, consistency matters.

SEO Implications: Search engines might return different results for “syllabuses” versus “syllabi,” potentially affecting visibility. Smart course outline repositories often tag documents with both plural forms to maximize discoverability. In today’s grammar quiz, one question asked, “What is the plural of syllabus syllabuses or syllabi?”

Digital Naming Conventions: Many universities have standardized their digital naming conventions to use one form consistently. Cornell University’s digital repository, for example, uses “syllabi” in all metadata and file naming.

Learning Management Systems: Popular platforms like Canvas and Blackboard typically use “syllabi” in their navigation and category labels, reinforcing this form in digital academic environments.

For maximum digital accessibility, consider using both forms strategically in metadata and descriptions while maintaining consistency in visible text.

Alternatives to Avoid the Debate Entirely

If you’re writing something where precision matters but you want to avoid the syllabus plural debate entirely, several alternatives can help:

• Course outlines – Clear, descriptive, and unambiguous
• Course descriptions – Focuses more on content than structure
• Teaching plans – Emphasizes the instructor’s approach
• Program guides – Broader term that can include syllabi
• Learning roadmaps – Modern term gaining popularity
• Class documents – Generic but useful umbrella term

These alternatives can be particularly helpful in contexts where you’re addressing diverse audiences or want to avoid any appearance of grammatical uncertainty.

Many universities have begun using “course guides” in official communications as a way to standardize terminology across departments and avoid the plural problem altogether.

Expert Opinions: What Language Authorities Say

Let’s look at what major linguistic authorities recommend:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Lists both “syllabi” and “syllabuses” as correct plurals, without expressing preference.

Oxford English Dictionary: Lists “syllabuses” first, indicating it as the primary recommendation, but acknowledges “syllabi” as an acceptable variant.

Chicago Manual of Style: Accepts both forms but notes that “syllabi” remains common in academic contexts.

AP Stylebook: Directly recommends “syllabuses” as the preferred form.

American Heritage Dictionary: Lists both forms but notes that “syllabi” is more common in American usage.

Dr. Katherine Barber, former editor-in-chief of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, offers this perspective: “The beauty of ‘syllabuses versus syllabi’ is that it perfectly illustrates how English absorbs foreign words. Both forms are correct, but over time, we typically see movement toward the anglicized form.”

FAQ

Is one form more correct than the other? No. Both “syllabuses” and “syllabi” are correct plurals for syllabus. The choice depends on your audience, context, and stylistic preference.

Do different academic fields prefer different forms? Yes. Traditional humanities disciplines tend to favor “syllabi,” while more contemporary fields often use “syllabuses.” Scientific writing shows mixed usage.

Has the preferred form changed over time? Yes. “Syllabi” dominated until the mid-20th century, but “syllabuses” has gained significant ground in the past 50 years, particularly in British English.

What about other languages? Other languages have their own patterns. In Spanish, it’s “sílabos,” while French uses “syllabus” for both singular and plural.

Can I use both forms interchangeably? For consistency, it’s best to choose one form and stick with it throughout a document. However, using different forms in different documents is perfectly acceptable.

Conclusion

The plural of syllabus debate—syllabuses or syllabi—reflects the beautiful complexity of English as a living language that absorbs and adapts words from countless sources. Both forms are correct, each with its own merits and contexts where it shines.

For formal academic writing, especially in traditional disciplines, “syllabi” remains a safe choice with historical precedent. For more general audiences or when prioritizing clarity and consistency with English patterns, “syllabuses” offers a straightforward alternative that’s gaining wider acceptance.

The best approach is to consider your audience and context, check if your institution has a style preference, and then consistently apply your choice throughout your document.

Remember that language evolves, and today’s controversy often becomes tomorrow’s accepted standard. Whether you prefer “syllabuses” or “syllabi,” the most important thing is that your course outline clearly communicates expectations and helps guide students toward success.

What’s your preference? Do you say “syllabuses” or “syllabi”? The beauty of language is that, in this case, you can’t be wrong—just part of the ongoing evolution of English.