alias

1 of 2

noun

ali·​as ˈā-lē-əs How to pronounce alias (audio)
ˈāl-yəs
plural aliases
: an assumed or additional name that a person sometimes uses
a fugitive using several aliases
John Smith, who goes by the alias Richard Jones
He checked into the hotel using an alias. = He checked into the hotel under an alias.
"My [gaming] alias when I was 18 … was Princess Peach," she [Bella Hadid] says with glee …Alex Frank
sometimes, specifically : a pseudonym (such as a pen name or stage name) that is associated with a person's professional identity
wrote the novels under an alias
Donald Glover, also known under his rap alias Childish Gambino, is an actor, writer, director, comedian and musician. Mark Warren
Vin Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, took on the tougher-sounding moniker as a bouncer in New York; the alias stuck as he transitioned into acting. Mae Ross

alias

2 of 2

adverb

: otherwise called : otherwise known as
used to indicate an additional name that a person sometimes uses
John Smith alias Richard Jones
the outlaw William H. Bonney, Jr. alias "Billy the Kid"

Examples of alias in a Sentence

Noun a fugitive using several aliases a dressmaker whom everyone knows as “Bet,” her adopted alias in the dressmaking business that she named after Betsy Ross
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Sean Combs, long known by rap aliases like Diddy and Puffy, is facing an avalanche of lawsuits and legal trouble. William Earl, Variety, 14 Oct. 2024 In the film, a group of strangers going under aliases like Mrs. White and Colonel Mustard arrive at a secluded mansion , and in classic Clue fashion, someone winds up dead. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2024 Hundreds of records showed dogs going to destinations in California that do not exist and to people using various aliases. Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024 Several residents in the building were present during the shooting and later helped police identify Anding, though authorities had to navigate through his many aliases to confirm the identification, according to court records. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alias 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alias.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

noun derivative of alias entry 2

Adverb

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin aliās (short for aliās dictus "at other times called"), going back to Latin, "at other times, in other cases, otherwise," from alius "other" + -ās, adverbial suffix (perhaps accusative plural ending, with noun vicēs "turns, times" understood) — more at else

First Known Use

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alias was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near alias

Cite this Entry

“Alias.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alias. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

alias

1 of 2 adverb
ˈā-lē-əs,
ˈāl-yəs
: otherwise called : otherwise known as
John Doe alias Richard Roe

alias

2 of 2 noun
: an assumed or additional name

Legal Definition

alias

1 of 3 adverb
: otherwise called : also known as
John Thomas Nolan, alias Legs Diamond

alias

2 of 3 noun
: an assumed or additional name

alias

3 of 3 adjective
: issued after the original instrument has not produced any action
an alias tax warrant
an alias summons
compare pluries
Etymology

Adverb

Latin, otherwise, from alius other

More from Merriam-Webster on alias

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