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What is the difference between 'curricula' and 'curriculum'? Both appear to have the same definition. Are they used in the same context?

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3 Answers

up vote 12 down vote accepted

Curricula is the plural of curriculum.

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up vote 5 down vote

Curriculum is a collection of subjects taught and is a singular noun. Its plural form is curricula or curriculums.

For example, we can say

The two schools have different curricula.

Similarly, the plural of referendum is referenda or referendums.

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up vote 3 down vote

Curricula is the plural of curriculum.

This question, asked in a more general way, might be, "What is a common way of forming plural vs. singular for Latin-derived words?" There is a whole list of them and they come in multiple patterns:

  • curriculum vs. curricula
  • datum vs. data
  • medium vs. media
  • focus vs. foci

There are certainly more, but these come to mind.

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protected by RegDwighт♦ Apr 30 '12 at 13:09

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