John Doe
an anonymous, average man.
a fictitious name used in legal proceedings for a male party whose true name is not known.: Compare Jane Doe, Richard Roe.
of or for an unknown person; using the name John Doe to stand for an unknown person: The judge issued a John Doe warrant so the police could arrest the culprit when they identified him.
an unidentified man: The police were looking for a John Doe.
Words Nearby John Doe
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use John Doe in a sentence
The second John Doe, whom Kelly met when he was 16 or 17, was also allegedly forced to have filmed sex with the singer and several of his girlfriends.
R. Kelly Convicted of Running Mafia-Style Sex Crime Scheme | Pilar Melendez | September 27, 2021 | The Daily BeastThe second John Doe, who Kelly met when the individual was 16 or 17, was also allegedly forced to have filmed sex with the singer and several of his girlfriends.
R. Kelly Went on Wild Rant About Stigma Over Sex With Teens, Witness Says | Pilar Melendez | August 26, 2021 | The Daily BeastAccording to the complaint, John Doe and Jane Doe were at a party on September 13, during which people were drinking.
Is UMass-Amherst Biased Against Male Students in Title IX Assault Cases? | Emily Shire | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe texted her roommate to reserve their bedroom for the purposes of bringing back John Doe.
Is UMass-Amherst Biased Against Male Students in Title IX Assault Cases? | Emily Shire | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is unknown whether "John Doe" or his lawyers have been informed of the new suit.
New Hollywood Sex Scandal: Bryan Singer’s Accuser Files Another Suit | Tim Teeman | June 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is unknown whether John Doe is David Neuman, who was once an executive at DEN.
New Hollywood Sex Scandal: Bryan Singer’s Accuser Files Another Suit | Tim Teeman | June 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTJohn Doe was often present at the estate when these activities were taking place, according to the new suit.
New Hollywood Sex Scandal: Bryan Singer’s Accuser Files Another Suit | Tim Teeman | June 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe touched John Doe with the spurs and rode away, stopping at the foreman's gate to finish his business with Hawkins.
The Quirt | B.M. BowerBut when he came upon her footprints again, he pulled up and held John Doe to a walk, scanning each bush and boulder as he passed.
The Quirt | B.M. BowerLone was turning back when John Doe threw up his head, stared up the creek for a moment and whinnied shrilly.
The Quirt | B.M. BowerAl at first displayed no intention of stopping, but pulled up when he saw John Doe slowing down significantly.
The Quirt | B.M. BowerJohn Doe, plainly glad to find an excuse to stop, slowed and came to where Swan waited by the gate.
The Quirt | B.M. Bower
British Dictionary definitions for John Doe
See Doe
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with John Doe
Also, John Q. Public; Joe Blow; Joe Doakes; Joe Zilch. An average undistinguished man; also, the average citizen. For example, This television show is just right for a John Doe, or It's up to John Q. Public to go to the polls and vote. Originally used from the 13th century on legal documents as an alias to protect a witness, John Doe acquired the sense of “ordinary person” in the 1800s. The variants date from the 1900s. Also see Joe six-pack.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse