anonymous
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for anonymous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not identified by name; of unknown identity.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use anonymous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin anonymus, from Ancient Greek anonymos, "without a name," from an- ("without") plus onoma ("name").
Full origin of anonymous →Frequently asked questions
What does “anonymous” mean?
The word “anonymous” means not identified by name; of unknown identity. In plain terms, without a name attached, so nobody knows who it was.
How do you pronounce “anonymous”?
“Anonymous” is pronounced uh-NON-uh-muhs (/əˈnɑ.nə.məs/ in IPA).
How do you use “anonymous” in a sentence?
Here is “anonymous” used in a sentence: “An anonymous donor paid off the school's entire lunch debt.”
What is the opposite of “anonymous”?
The opposite of “anonymous” — its antonyms — is onymous.
What part of speech is “anonymous”?
“Anonymous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “anonymous” come from?
The word “anonymous” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin anonymus, from Ancient Greek anonymos, "without a name," from an- ("without") plus onoma ("name").
Is “anonymous” a common word?
“Anonymous” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between anonymous and unknown?
Anonymous means a person's name is deliberately withheld or not attached, while unknown means their identity has simply not been discovered. An anonymous donor chooses to hide their name, whereas an unknown attacker has not yet been identified.
What is the difference between anonymous and confidential?
Anonymous means no identifying name is recorded at all, so even the recipient cannot know who provided the information, while confidential means the identity is known but kept private. An anonymous survey collects no names, but a confidential one keeps recorded names secret.
What is the difference between anonymous and pseudonymous?
Anonymous means having no name attached and being of unknown identity, while pseudonymous means using a false or assumed name instead of a real one. An anonymous author gives no name at all, whereas a pseudonymous author writes under a pen name.