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

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

If you trace in this event the origins of a similar scene in Alias Grace and also one in The Blind Assassin, you would be right.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

In Atwater there’s Alias Books, Proof Bakery and wide sidewalks with cafes.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 2, 2024

And Blade, the commuter helicopter service, perhaps sensing that urban air mobility is not so far off, has reserved the right to buy five Alias, at a price of $4 million to $5 million apiece.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2022

UPS has signed a letter of intent to buy 150 Alias, with the first 10 due to start arriving in 2024.

From Washington Post • Jan. 31, 2022

And also our Lord saith in the Gospel, Alias oves habeo, que non sunt ex hoc ovili, that is to say, that he had other servants than those that be under Christian law. 

From The Travels of Sir John Mandeville by Mandeville, John, Sir

Related Words

• assumed name
• moniker
• pseudonym
• stage name