Plural of Syllabus
“Syllabus” has two current plurals: regular English “syllabuses” and Latin-derived “syllabi.” General dictionary evidence recognizes both. In edited work, consistency and any institutional house style are the practical deciding factors.
Both “syllabuses” and “syllabi” are accepted plurals of “syllabus.” Use the form preferred by your institution or style guide, or choose one and stay consistent.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| one course document | syllabus | Use singular. |
| multiple course documents | syllabuses | Accepted regular plural. |
| multiple course documents | syllabi | Accepted Latin-derived plural. |
Quick tests
Plural-choice test
Are you referring to more than one syllabus?
If yes: Use “syllabuses” or “syllabi,” consistently.
If no: Use singular “syllabus.”
Caveat: Institutional style may narrow the choice, but general dictionary evidence accepts both.
Examples
The department revised its syllabuses.
The regular plural is accepted.
All course syllabi are online.
The Latin-derived plural is accepted.
Each syllabus lists assessment dates.
One takes singular “syllabus.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use either “syllabuses” or “syllabi” for more than one syllabus.
Fast Test
If a school, publisher, or style guide consistently uses one form, match it.
Usage Boundary
Do not mark one accepted variant as an error solely because it is regular or Latin-derived.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- SYLLABUS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge gives syllabuses and syllabi as accepted plurals.