alias

American  

[ey-lee-uhs] / ˈeɪ li əs /

noun

aliases plural

1. a false name used to conceal one's identity; an assumed name.

   The police files indicate that “Smith” is an alias for Simpson.

   Synonyms:

   pseudonym, nom de plume, nom de guerre

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adverb

1. at another time; in another place; in other circumstances; otherwise: “Simpson alias Smith” means that Simpson in other circumstances has called himself Smith.

alias British  

/ ˈeɪlɪəs /

adverb

1. at another time or place known as or named

   Dylan, alias Zimmerman

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noun

1. an assumed name

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• aliases
  plural

Etymology

Origin of alias

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin: “at another time, otherwise”; see also else

Explanation

Your alias could be as important as the name you use when you’re on the run or as simple as your screen name on a social networking site. Either way, an alias is a temporary name, one you don’t use all the time or for every occasion. If you crash your parents' lovingly-restored sports car into the garage when you aren't even supposed to be driving it, it might be easier to skip town and live under an assumed name, or alias, than deal with their reaction. Alias can also be used as an adverb to mean "also known as." Your parents might be less than thrilled when you introduce your new boyfriend, "John Smith, alias Lock-Jaw Johnnie, wanted in 39 states."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alias aliases

Authorities allege Chen also submitted marriage applications using an alias, “Vicky Liang.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Hussain first contacted the woman using the fake alias of Mick Renney in April 2024 on social media.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias Nino Guerrero, or "child warrior," died at age 42 in a raid announced Friday by President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Venezuela.

From Barron's ● Jun. 13, 2026

Pauken moved to China in 2010 and worked under the alias Tom McGregor as his father didn’t wish to appear associated with the son’s activities in China, according to prosecution documents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

The suspect was a physician whose given name was Mudgett but was known more commonly by the alias H. H. Holmes.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

They had checked into the hotel using authentic Lebanese passports under aliases.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Of all the aliases and titles he’s fought for, “author” might seem to be the most unlikely.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

“He has a lot of different aliases and personas. He’s a very funny and relatable person and I think that comes through with him as a host.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

Said, 48 years old, holds two British passports, one that expired this month and a second expiring in 2029, and has used several aliases, according to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

So, using their aliases, Richard Quintas and Henry Kaynor, they registered at the Martinique, a deluxe hotel on Forty-Ninth Street.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• assumed name
• moniker
• pseudonym
• stage name