anon
adverb
in a short time; soon.
anon
1 American
[uh-non]
/ əˈnɒn /
adverb
-
in a short time; soon.
-
at another time.
-
Archaic. at once; immediately.
idioms
anon.
2
American
abbreviation
-
anonymous.
-
anonymously.
anon.
1
British
abbreviation
anon
2
British
/ əˈnɒn /
adverb
-
in a short time; soon
-
now and then
anon.
Cultural
Etymology
Origin of anon1
before 1000; Middle English anon, anoon, Old English on āne in one (course), i.e., straightaway
Origin of anon.2
First recorded in 1730–40
Explanation
Although the word anon sounds old (it is, it is!), it can still be used today to indicate "soon." If you say, "I hear you calling and I will come anon," the person calling you might still be impatient, but they'll be impressed. The word anon can be found as early as the 11th Century, with the Old English word āne meaning "in one," or "right away." The word is considered archaic, and sounds a little pretentious when used today. It fits much better in older literature such as works by Shakespeare. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's nurse calls her just as the girl is bidding goodbye to Romeo, and she keeps putting the Nurse off by saying, "I come anon."
Vocabulary lists containing anon
Romeo and Juliet
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Othello
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The Tempest
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“How much worse can things really get anon? This is oof city,” wrote Larry Cermak, director of research for the crypto data company the Block Crypto, on Twitter on Tuesday.
From Washington Post • Jun. 14, 2022
Q. Catfished by Dad: I recently received an Instagram request from some anon with no picture.
From Slate • Jul. 15, 2019
We’ll have the team news anon, and kick off is at 7.45pm.
From The Guardian • Jan. 7, 2019
If this makes of me a traitor, then so be it—I shall be judged anon.
From Golf Digest • Feb. 15, 2018
Ever and anon the furnaces far below its ashen cone would grow hot and with a great surging and throbbing pour forth rivers of molten rock from chasms in its sides.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
