1 anonymous | Definition of anonymous

anonymous

adjective
anon·​y·​mous | \ ə-ˈnä-nə-məs How to pronounce anonymous (audio) \

Definition of anonymous

1 : of unknown authorship or origin an anonymous tip
2 : not named or identified an anonymous author They wish to remain anonymous.
3 : lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability the anonymous faces in the crowd … the gray anonymous streets …— William Styron

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Other Words from anonymous

anonymousness noun

Examples of anonymous in a Sentence

The donor wishes to remain anonymous. An anonymous buyer purchased the painting. The college received an anonymous gift. He made an anonymous phone call to the police. The reporter got an anonymous tip. His was just another anonymous face in the crowd.
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Recent Examples on the Web

The Office of Inspector General opened an investigation after receiving anonymous complaints about Hart in January 2018, according to the report. Adam Edelman, NBC News, "Watchdog report: GSA official had sex with W.H. staffer on agency's roof," 23 Aug. 2019 Pepe is popping up all over Hong Kong—in graffiti, on anonymous forums, in sticker packs for WhatsApp and Telegram. Emma Grey Ellis, WIRED, "Pepe the Frog Means Something Different in Hong Kong—Right?," 23 Aug. 2019 Experience Project, launched in 2007, invited anonymous users to share their experiences and interact with others. Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Defunct website not culpable in death of man from fentanyl, court rules," 21 Aug. 2019 The shooting happened after Rowden and other officers were sent to a house in the 5300 block of Bourquin Street after an anonymous person called 911 to report an armed kidnapping on the street. Lavendrick Smith, Dallas News, "Civil trial begins in Dallas police shooting that nearly triggered riot in Dixon Circle," 21 Aug. 2019 Walmart shoppers were asked to evacuate a west Houston store Monday evening as the Harris County Sheriff's Office investigates an anonymous terror threat, authorities say. Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, "Walmart evacuated as HCSO investigates anonymous terror threat at store in Houston," 19 Aug. 2019 Five pianos, provided through an anonymous donation to the Maryland State Arts Council, would be installed at various Metro SubwayLink stations. Elizabeth Nonemaker, baltimoresun.com, "If no one else is going to play the subway piano, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians say they will," 25 July 2019 Aguilera-Mederos has received multiple anonymous threats since the crash, Corry told the judge. Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "Investigators detail harrowing I-70 crash that killed 4 as judge advances case toward trial," 11 July 2019 All of the anonymous threats contained specific references to Boquist’s family, including the names of his wife and children, Garton said. Hillary Borrud | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "Polk County sheriff investigating threats against Oregon Republican Senator Brian Boquist," 10 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anonymous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of anonymous

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for anonymous

Late Latin anonymus, from Greek anōnymos, from a- + onyma name — more at name

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More Definitions for anonymous

anonymous

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of anonymous

: not named or identified
: made or done by someone unknown
: not distinct or noticeable : lacking interesting or unusual characteristics

anonymous

adjective
anon·​y·​mous | \ ə-ˈnä-nə-məs How to pronounce anonymous (audio) \

Kids Definition of anonymous

1 : not named or identified an anonymous caller
2 : made or done by someone unknown an anonymous phone call

Other Words from anonymous

anonymously adverb A large sum has been anonymously donated.

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