John Doe

noun

Synonyms of John Doenext
1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year’s exhibitors lean toward younger Los Angeles galleries, including Megan Mulrooney, John Doe Gallery, Gross! Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 The two agents, identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 in the lawsuit, are part of a broader group of employees who claim they were fired over the past year over their role in the election investigation known as Arctic Frost. Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026 John Doe 2 was terminated a few days later. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 Your mind blurted out, Those could be me and John Doe’s kids. Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for John Doe

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of John Doe was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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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