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
Users who create such images are hard to track down, too, as many use aliases and fake photos on their profiles. Jamie Joseph, Fox News, 2 Mar. 2024 In late 2017, Robinson also released a five-track EP under an alias, Virtual Self, an homage to late-’90s and early-’00s rave music. Katie Bain, Billboard, 1 Mar. 2024 Aside from spoofing serial numbers, the two men used various aliases to cover their tracks. Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 Former medical staff also told the Pentagon that some senior presidential appointees wrongly received free specialty care and even surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — under aliases assigned by White House Medical Unit leaders, disguising their identities. Michael Kranish, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 In addition to using aliases, Arko and Owl started wearing masks to protect their identity. Vanessa Infanzon, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Free users can create and store ten of these aliases, and there's no limit for Plus subscribers. PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2024 According to government evidence, the men received shipments of fake iPhones from Hong Kong at various UPS mailboxes, using numerous aliases. Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Investigators have said Moreno used multiple aliases of both male and female names, and was put under an order for emotional detention in 2016, CNN previously reported. Ashley R. Williams, Jeanne Bonner and Raja Razek, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024

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 18 Mar. 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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