Alias
/ˈeɪliəs/
nounBeginner📊CommonIdentity
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
A different name used to conceal one's true identity.
/ˈeɪliəs/
nounneutralBeginner
Identity
A false or assumed name.
He went by the alias 'Jack'.
💡 Simply: A fake name.
More Examples
2
The criminal used many aliases.
How It's Used
Law
"He used the alias 'John Smith' to avoid detection."
Literature
"The spy operated under several aliases."
From Latin *alias* meaning "otherwise", "elsewhere", or "at another time". It entered English through legal usage, referring to a false name.
The word's use has remained consistent throughout history, primarily in legal and literary contexts.
Memory tip
Think 'a lie as' - it's another name, a lie about your identity.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"otherwise, elsewhere, at another time"
under an aliasuse an aliasfalse alias
Common misspellings
alias'aliesalayas
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written