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.

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alter ego British  

/ ˈæltər ˈiːɡəʊ, ˈɛɡəʊ /

noun

1. a second self

2. a very close and intimate friend

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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.”

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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

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

In some regards this narrator, a husband and father, is Mr. Lerner’s most mature alter ego, but he often seems like the same schlemiel as the feckless grad student in “Leaving the Atocha Station.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Steve, how did you think about Greg’s alter ego, Rooster, the star of his books?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

If she were like her comic book alter ego, the Flint Avenger, she’d have this up in a nanosecond.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• soul mate