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

Usagi Tsukino, whose alter ego is Sailor Moon, is the star of another popular 1990s anime, and she welcomed many women into what had previously been a predominantly male fan base.

From Washington Post

George nicknamed himself “Playoff P” before his first Oklahoma City playoff series, declaring his alter ego a “fun guy to watch” while boasting that he would shut down then-rookie Donovan Mitchell.

From FiveThirtyEight

Another groundbreaking tool he used to bring those explorations into human psychology to life was the use of alter egos, all of whom he voiced.

From Time

The notorious “Gainsbarre,” his alter ego who had practically spit venom at her on set, was swapped for the more tender persona he carefully concealed.

From Washington Post

It didn’t feel that weird, even for a fan who had attended 423 consecutive Bills games and developed both an alter ego — “Pinto Ron,” after his red car and a mistaken identity hardened into lore — and a pregame ritual.

From Washington Post

He even allegedly had a nickname for his violent, aggressive alter ego: Rick.

From The Daily Beast

Given his alter ego, it may not come as a surprise that Goyeneche is into antiquities, especially of the pre-Colombian variety.

From The Daily Beast

Revealing herself as both Miriam Weeks and alter ego Belle Knox made her feel vulnerable.

From The Daily Beast

In 2004, Amber birthed her alter ego, a stripteaser named Oosha Boom.

From The Daily Beast

By using an alter ego, he liberates himself, relaxes himself so he can invent freely.

From The Daily Beast

Has each of us an alter ego, who can really behave, elsewhere?

From Project Gutenberg

Altogether, he is as miserable and forlorn a wretch as one would care to see, and his alter ego is hypocrisy.

From Project Gutenberg

Our relations with a friend are much like those with our own selves; the true friend is a sort of alter ego.

From Project Gutenberg

The horse is regarded by the Central Asiatic as his alter ego.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Ferguson had a friend—not another self, indeed, an alter ego, for friendship could not exist between two beings exactly alike.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• soul mate