alter ego

American  

[awl-ter ee-goh, eg-oh, al-] / ˈɔl tər ˈi goʊ, ˌɛg oʊ, ˈæl- /

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 British  

/ ˈæltər ˈiːɡəʊ, ˈɛɡəʊ /

noun

1. a second self

2. a very close and intimate friend

---

alter ego Cultural  

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.”

---

Etymology

Origin of alter ego

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

Example Sentences

Bombastic yet intimate, fantastical yet sensible, Colbert’s farewell to his Comedy Central audience and his conservative alter ego was about as lovely and loving as TV can be.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

Then there is Toby, the fictional, fez-donning cartoon cat that Baseman calls his alter ego.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Herrmann, Hitchcock’s musical alter ego, also wrote the underscore, or background music.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

McGuigan calls the brashness part of an "alter ego", suggesting Caroline is playing the part, but also sees a deeper link to the independence she has carved out.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Laney—the youngest Vanderbeeker—had transformed into her alter ego, Panda-Laney.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Related Words

• soul mate