alter ego

[awl-ter ee-goh, eg-oh, al-]

noun

1. a second self; a perfect substitute or deputy.

   His adviser acts as his alter ego during his absence.

2. an inseparable friend.

3. another aspect of one's self.

alter ego

/ ˈæltər ˈiːɡəʊ, ˈɛɡəʊ /

noun

1. a second self

2. a very close and intimate friend

alter ego

1. An intimate friend, considered another side of oneself: “He was my alter ego; we were always picking up each other's thoughts.” Alter ego is Latin for “another I.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of alter ego¹

1530–40; < Latin (Cicero), probably translation of Greek állos egṓ, héteros egṓ another I

Word History and Origins

Origin of alter ego¹

Latin: other self

Example Sentences

"I used to have an alter ego when I first got into the team," Knight tells BBC Sport.

From BBC

With a quartet of musicians behind him, Reilly takes the stage as Mister Romantic, his alter ego who has no memory of the past.

From Los Angeles Times

The sketch appeared to be a parody of a scene in Spider Man where Norman Osborne, played by Willem Dafoe, is being taunted by his crazed alter ego, the Green Goblin.

From BBC

His alter ego, Clark Kent, is humble and kind, traits that carry over when he turns into Superman.

From Los Angeles Times

Tony Stark and his alter ego, Iron Man, were the natural choice for the next MCU character to get the preschool treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• soul mate