Incognito
/ɪnˈkɒɡniːtoʊ/
Definitions
3 meaningsBeing in a disguised state, concealing one's true identity.
/ɪnˈkɒɡniːtoʊ/
In a disguised state, so as not to be identified.
The princess traveled incognito to experience life as an ordinary person.
💡 Simply: Imagine a secret agent wearing a fake mustache and hat, trying not to be recognized. That's being incognito! It's like when your favorite actor goes to the grocery store in a hoodie so people don't bother them.
👶 For kids: It means hiding who you are, like wearing a secret costume so nobody knows it's you!
More Examples
He used an incognito browser window to search for a surprise gift.
How It's Used
"The celebrity traveled incognito to avoid the paparazzi."
"Royalty often traveled incognito to observe the lives of their subjects."
In a way that conceals one's true identity.
/ɪnˈkɒɡniːtoʊ/
With one's identity concealed.
The secret agent traveled incognito to the rendezvous.
💡 Simply: Imagine you want to go to a concert, but don't want people to know it's you. You'd go incognito, meaning you'd hide your identity!
👶 For kids: Doing something secret, where nobody knows it's you!
More Examples
She went to the party incognito, hoping to observe the social dynamics.
How It's Used
"The author lived incognito in a small village for years."
"The diplomat met with the rebel leader incognito."
A person using a false name or identity to conceal their true identity.
/ɪnˈkɒɡniːtoʊ/
A person who is using a false name or identity to hide their true identity.
The police were trying to find the incognito who had been at the crime scene.
💡 Simply: Sometimes people try to hide who they are. An 'incognito' is someone who is hiding their real identity by using a fake name or appearance! Like a spy or a celebrity wearing a disguise to go shopping.
👶 For kids: Someone pretending to be someone else, like a secret agent!
More Examples
Several incognitos were among the guests at the masquerade ball.
How It's Used
"Several incognitos were spotted at the secret meeting."
"The detective quickly identified the incognito among the guests."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Travel incognito
To travel without revealing one's true identity, often to avoid attention.
"The famous actor chose to travel incognito to enjoy a quiet vacation."
Live incognito
To live one's life without revealing one's true identity, usually in a place where one is unknown.
"After the scandal, the politician chose to live incognito in a remote area."
From Italian *incognito*, meaning 'unknown'. It's the past participle of *incognoscere*, meaning 'not to know', from Latin *in-* (not) + *cognoscere* (to learn, recognize). The word was adopted into English in the 17th century.
The term 'incognito' has been used since the 17th century, particularly in contexts involving royalty, diplomacy, and espionage, where concealment of identity was critical.
Memory tip
Imagine a spy wearing a disguise to stay 'in' the 'cogni'tive (knowledge) shadow.
Word Origin
"unknown; concealed"