Anonymous Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms anonymous American [uh-non-uh-muhs] / əˈnɒn ə məs /

adjective

1. without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like.

   an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.

2. of unknown name; whose name is withheld.

   an anonymous author.

3. lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction.

   an endless row of drab, anonymous houses.

anonymous British / əˈnɒnɪməs, ˌænəˈnɪmɪtɪ /

adjective

1. from or by a person, author, etc, whose name is unknown or withheld

   an anonymous letter

2. having no known name

3. lacking individual characteristics; unexceptional

4. (often capital) denoting an organization which provides help to applicants who remain anonymous

   Alcoholics Anonymous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does anonymous mean? Anonymous means that a person’s name or identity has not been revealed or given or has been withheld, as in an anonymous donor or an anonymous tip or Survey respondents will remain anonymous. Example: My source insists on remaining anonymous—they fear they would be punished for providing information if they were to be identified. There are many reasons why a person might want to be anonymous. A vote might be done anonymously to protect voters or to encourage them to give an honest vote even if it might be unpopular. Reporters will attribute information to anonymous sources to protect them from political or other retribution. Some people prefer to be anonymous online.The noun anonymity refers to the state of being anonymous. The word anonymous is prominently used in the name of the organization Alcoholics Anonymous, which encourages anonymity among its members. Another well-known use of the word is in the name of the modern hacker collective that calls itself Anonymous. The group’s name refers to the fact that members’ identities are unknown both to the public and other members, who rarely use their real names. Less commonly, anonymous can be used in situations in which no name is acknowledged, such as with the authorship of a book, as in The popular book was written by an anonymous author. A more figurative sense of anonymous is used to describe something lacking any unique character, as in We live in some anonymous suburb.

Other Word Forms

• anonymity noun
• anonymously adverb
• anonymousness noun
• nonanonymousness noun

Etymology

Origin of anonymous

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin anōnymus, from Greek anṓnymos, equivalent to an- an- 1 + -ōnym(a) (variant of ónyma ) -onym (earlier (a)n- with vowel lengthening; anopheles ) + -os adjective suffix; -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After buying a $16 entry ticket — no deductible — audience members have the option of scribbling an anonymous confession or a personal dilemma onto a piece of paper before dropping it into a box.

From Los Angeles Times

According to one anonymous officer, they have a TV but no dedicated internet line, and that when they attempt to establish a connection, it is "not stable".

From BBC

The BBC also spoke to teachers and parents at Lily Lane school - who wished to remain anonymous.

From BBC

Reform's website says it does not accept anonymous donations and any donations exceeding £500 are subject to the usual permissibility checks to ensure the money comes from UK-registered companies or individuals on the electoral register.

From BBC

In December, she underwent a successful stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor.

From BBC

Related Words

• nameless
• undisclosed
• unidentified
• unnamed
• unsigned

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.