1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man
Synonyms
Examples of John Doe in a Sentence
to John Doe the most important issues in any election are usually those that affect his wallet
Recent Examples on the Web
Investigators said another attack occurred on Aug. 13 against John Doe 2.
—
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2023
While the 1989 John Doe might be forgotten, someone likely still knows the identity of two urns left on the grounds without identification.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2023
There, Cervenka, a poet, met a young musician who called himself John Doe after her words wowed him at a Venice Beach poetry reading.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 31 Aug. 2023
In January of 2021, the ‘Frog Boy’ John Doe case came across CeCe Moore’s desk.
—Sarah Portney, NBC News, 23 July 2023
Say John Doe bets $100 on the Cleveland Browns and wins.
—Sean McDonnell, cleveland, 8 Aug. 2023
In between the car chases and shootouts featuring Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet and Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth, Twisted Metal offers up a plethora of IYKYK moments.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 5 Aug. 2023
Lawsuits follow independent investigation The latest lawsuits were filed on behalf of Warren Miles Long -- a former running back on the team, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks -- and an unnamed player referred to in court papers as John Doe 2.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2023
The parents are identified anonymously in the lawsuit filed in April as Mother Doe and Father Doe and their son as John Doe.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 July 2023
See More
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2023
While the 1989 John Doe might be forgotten, someone likely still knows the identity of two urns left on the grounds without identification.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2023
There, Cervenka, a poet, met a young musician who called himself John Doe after her words wowed him at a Venice Beach poetry reading.
—Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 31 Aug. 2023
In January of 2021, the ‘Frog Boy’ John Doe case came across CeCe Moore’s desk.
—Sarah Portney, NBC News, 23 July 2023
Say John Doe bets $100 on the Cleveland Browns and wins.
—Sean McDonnell, cleveland, 8 Aug. 2023
In between the car chases and shootouts featuring Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet and Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth, Twisted Metal offers up a plethora of IYKYK moments.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 5 Aug. 2023
Lawsuits follow independent investigation The latest lawsuits were filed on behalf of Warren Miles Long -- a former running back on the team, who played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks -- and an unnamed player referred to in court papers as John Doe 2.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2023
The parents are identified anonymously in the lawsuit filed in April as Mother Doe and Father Doe and their son as John Doe.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'John Doe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near John Doe
Cite this Entry
“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
John Doe
noun
: a person in legal proceedings whose true name is unknown or withheld
Legal Definition
John Doe
noun
: a party to legal proceedings (as a suspect) whose true name is unknown or withheld compare jane roe, richard roe
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