username

American  

[yoo-zer-neym] / ˈju zərˌneɪm /

noun

Computers.

• usernames
  plural

1. Also called sign-in name,.  Also called login name,.  Also called sign-on name.  Also called logon name,.  a unique sequence of characters used to identify a user and allow access to a computer system, computer network, or online account.

2. the part of an email address before the @ sign.

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username British  

/ ˈjuːzəˌneɪm /

noun

1. computing a name that someone uses for identification purposes when logging onto a computer, using chatrooms, or as part of his or her e-mail address

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• usernames
  plural

Etymology

Origin of username

First recorded in 1970–75; user ¹ ( def. ) + name ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

username usernames

The teenager who recruited him is 17, so cannot be named for legal reasons, but was known by his online username "Generalen", or General.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

At his trial Generalen said his "mentor" in the Foxtrot Network was a man with the username "Agent 47".

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

India has asked Meta to hold off launching its username feature on WhatsApp in the world's most populous country, citing concerns over fraud and impersonation, media reports said Thursday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Beyer, who streams on Twitch under the username Central_Committee, is from Pennsylvania and recently moved to Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

Not a fake identity, not a randomized username, nothing.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

"Unverified and untraceable usernames" introduced the risk of financial fraud and citizens becoming vulnerable to scammers, he said.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Meta said the feature was not yet live in India and that it had already reserved usernames for public figures and verified accounts.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

That co-conspirator, Tycen C. Proper, of Danville, Ohio, identified Roa and Thomas as part of the plot, and shared social media usernames, according to the criminal complaint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

Pauken gave Person 1 a laptop and a mobile phone, which had encrypted messaging apps connected to an account with usernames Catherine and Cathy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

I look at her cell, and yes, there are some names I recognize, because they have some ego-driven usernames that they mix in with the instrument they play.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold