anonymous

The word “anonymous” means not identified by name; of unknown identity. In plain terms, without a name attached, so nobody knows who it was.

“Anonymous” is pronounced uh-NON-uh-muhs (/əˈnɑ.nə.məs/ in IPA).

Here is “anonymous” used in a sentence: “An anonymous donor paid off the school's entire lunch debt.”

The opposite of “anonymous” — its antonyms — is onymous.

“Anonymous” is an adjective.

The word “anonymous” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin anonymus, from Ancient Greek anonymos, "without a name," from an- ("without") plus onoma ("name").

“Anonymous” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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.

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.

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.