alias

[ey-lee-uhs]

noun

plural

aliases 

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

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

/ ˈeɪlɪəs /

adverb

1. at another time or place known as or named

   Dylan, alias Zimmerman

noun

1. an assumed name

Word History and Origins

Origin of alias¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alias¹

C16: from Latin aliās (adv) otherwise, at another time, from alius other

Example Sentences

He was using an alias in an attempt to evade detection.

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They each sued the school district under the alias “Jane Doe,” and each was referred to in court by her first name only.

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“Gents,” Sexton wrote, “I’m going to handle booking our friend back under his true alias.”

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Undetected for a year, Bester then allegedly lived under an alias in South Africa's main city, Johannesburg, helped by his partner.

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The BBC is using an alias because her family belongs to an ethnic and religious minority group facing persecution in Afghanistan.

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Related Words

• assumed name www.thesaurus.com
• moniker 
• pseudonym 
• stage name www.thesaurus.com