anonymous
uh-NON-uh-muhs
Anonymous (adj) means not identified by name; of unknown identity. Example: “The author chose to remain anonymous and published the book under a pen name.”
adj
1
Not identified by name; of unknown identity.
"The author chose to remain anonymous and published the book under a pen name."
"An anonymous donor paid off the school's entire lunch debt."
"She left an anonymous tip with the police."
"No customer personal data will be retained unless it is rendered anonymous."
"The shift in the balance of power online has allowed anyone to publish to the world, from dispirited teenagers in south London to an anonymous cyber-dissident in a Middle East autocracy."
— Josh Halliday, Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised? (2012)
How to use anonymous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout a name attached, so nobody knows who it was.
Common pairings
anonymous donor
anonymous tip
remain anonymous
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more anonymous
- Superlative
- most anonymous
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The author chose to remain _____ and published the book under a pen name.
Etymology
From Late Latin anonymus, from Ancient Greek anonymos, "without a name," from an- ("without") plus onoma ("name").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
onymous
Related words
Rhymes for anonymous
See all rhymes for 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.
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