anonymity

American  

[an-uh-nim-i-tee] / ˌæn əˈnɪm ɪ ti /

noun

plural

anonymities

1. the state or quality of being anonymous.

2. an anonymous person.

   some fine poetry attributed to anonymities.

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Other Word Forms

• nonanonymity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of anonymity

First recorded in 1810–20; anonym(ous) + -ity, or from French anonymité

Explanation

If you want a little bit of invisibility, you might seek anonymity, or being anonymous and nameless. He was a very wealthy man, and he gave most of his money away with quiet anonymity, so no one knew who was helping. The noun anonymity comes from a Greek word meaning "without a name." If you have anonymity, you have namelessness, and people will not know who you are. Some words that are the opposite of anonymity are "celebrity" and "fame." Sometimes people request anonymity, as in "he phoned the police to report the break-in across the street but requested anonymity so the burglars wouldn't know who turned them in."

Example Sentences

Motivated by price, convenience, a desire for anonymity, or wariness of interacting with a clinician, some patients buy medication online from a number of online vendors selling drugs manufactured in India.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

“I have dozens of candidates and campaigns and I have not heard this issue come up one time,” said a campaign finance lawyer who requested anonymity because they represent numerous candidates with active campaigns.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Johnson previously waived her right to anonymity to speak of her experience with Worboys.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

"The first thing is to put an end to the death and destruction," the official told AFP on custom of anonymity.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

For one Hearst Metro- tone newsreel he sat in his office, young inmates around him wearing masks to preserve their anonymity.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover