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

That play of masks—at once disclosing and disguising—animated Roth’s fictional alter egos, incarnations both intimate and inscrutable.

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She similarly told Perfect Magazine that the work can be considered “autofiction” and that an “alter ego” is singing.

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This fall, Robinson is taking her skort-wearing alter ego global with her very own golf tournament.

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Paul reportedly abused alcohol as a teenager and young adult, and his friends have said they called his intoxicated alter ego “Timmy” because his behavior changed significantly when he was drinking.

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Eliot — no stranger to feline alter egos — responded earnestly to a poetic quibble.

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Related Words

• soul mate