anonymous

[ uh-non-uh-muhs ]

adjective

1. without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like:

   an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.

2. of unknown name; whose name is withheld:

   an anonymous author.

3. lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction:

   an endless row of drab, anonymous houses.

anonymous

/ əˈnɒnɪməs; ˌænəˈnɪmɪtɪ /

adjective

1. from or by a person, author, etc, whose name is unknown or withheld

   an anonymous letter

2. having no known name
3. lacking individual characteristics; unexceptional
4. often capital denoting an organization which provides help to applicants who remain anonymous

   Alcoholics Anonymous

Derived Forms

• anonymity, noun
• aˈnonymously, adverb
• aˈnonymousness, noun

Other Words From

• a·non·y·mous·ness noun
• a·non·y·mous·ly adverb
• non·a·non·y·mous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anonymous¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin anōnymus, from Greek anṓnymos, equivalent to an- an- ¹ + -ōnym(a) (variant of ónyma ) -onym (earlier (a)n- with vowel lengthening; anopheles ) + -os adjective suffix; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of anonymous¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek anōnumos, from an- + onoma name

Example Sentences

In 2017, his magazine, American Renaissance, under an anonymous byline, ran an article titled “What Does it Mean for Whites if Climate Change is Real?” which asked, “Are we preparing for agricultural disruption in some areas and new opportunities in others? Do we have the legal framework to deal with ‘climate refugees’?”

From Salon

Her job begins by collecting wholesale consignments from her anonymous paymasters, which she then weighs into smaller packages and hides around the city for their customers.

From Salon

However, a former director of a baby formula manufacturer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC the introduction of an NHS-branded product would create a “race to the bottom”, with companies lowering the quality of their formula to compete for the cheapest price.

From BBC

Threatening emails were sent to the school and there were anonymous phone-calls too.

From BBC

In a series of court filings last week, city attorneys argued that the roughly 900 officers — whose names have so far been kept secret — don’t have a right to remain anonymous, and asked a judge to order their identities disclosed if their lawsuit against the city is to proceed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nameless
• undisclosed
• unidentified
• unnamed
• unsigned