anonymous

[uh-non-uh-muhs]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of anonymous¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of anonymous¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek anōnumos, from _an- + onoma name

Example Sentences

A separate anonymous source also told ABC News that the teleprompter was being operated by someone from the White House, not a member of the U.N. staff.

From Los Angeles Times

We know the dates of our whistleblower's videos, but we have not revealed them to help John stay anonymous.

From BBC

The discovery followed an investigation into anonymous "telephonic threats" directed at three US government officials this spring, unnamed officials told the New York Times.

From BBC

Wiener has said the presence of anonymous, masked officers marks a turn toward authoritarianism and erodes trust between law enforcement and citizens.

From Los Angeles Times

As Salon previously reported, the temporary conditions, transient and anonymous nature of the festival make it difficult for police to do their work.

From Salon

Related Words

• nameless 
• undisclosed 
• unidentified 
• unnamed 
• unsigned 

When To Use

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.