alias

adverb ali·as \ ˈā-lē-əs , ˈāl-yəs \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of alias

: otherwise called : otherwise known as —used to indicate an additional name that a person (such as a criminal) sometimes uses

John Smith alias Richard Jones was identified as the suspect.

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Origin and Etymology of alias

Latin, otherwise, from alius other — more at else

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

alias

noun

Definition of alias

: an assumed or additional name that a person (such as a criminal) sometimes uses

a fugitive using several aliases

He checked into the hotel using an alias.

John Smith, who goes by the alias Richard Jones

See alias defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of alias from the Web

After Molina was arrested on May 24, 2017, his girlfriend contacted Heburn on her alias Facebook account to ask more questions.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "She was supposed to keep her mouth shut. Now, this Miami juror faces prison for blabbing," 20 June 2018
Police later learned Devranos was renting five Portland-area high-end luxury apartments under different aliases.

— anna spoerre, OregonLive.com, "Two arrested in identity theft case with at least 200 victims," 12 June 2018
Investigators later discovered surveillance video from 1:17 a.m. on May 13 that showed Kessler — who goes by Jennifer Sybert, among her many aliases, and who had worked at the salon for about a month — parking Cummings’ SUV.

— christine pelisek, PEOPLE.com, "Suspect in Mom-of-3's Mysterious Disappearance on Mother's Day Weekend Had Many 'Disguises': Police," 4 June 2018
The serial embezzler went on to steal money from his second wife's family and, under the aliases Myron Kent and Jud Lane, from insurance companies and legal clients.

— mary jane brewer, cleveland.com, "Medina County Historical Society features Fame, Fortune and Felony in program on prominent figures from Medina's past," 14 Apr. 2018
In 1881, outlaw William H. Bonney Jr., alias ‘‘Billy the Kid,’’ was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner in present-day New Mexico.

— BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 14 July 2018
Marijuana’s many aliases today include Smoochy Woochy Poochy, Mowing the Lawn, Giggle Weed, Big Pillows, Churro, Skywalker, Sweet Lucy and Rghteous Bush, according to the DEA’s list.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Hey, My Brother: The DEA reveals new nicknames for marijuana," 12 July 2018
And Himmler, who had fled — shaving his mustache, assuming an alias and donning a black eye patch — was captured by the Allies on May 20 in Bremervörde, Germany.

— richard sandomir, New York Times, "Gudrun Burwitz, Ever-Loyal Daughter of Himmler, Is Dead at 88," 6 July 2018
Colbert said in a press release Thursday that Rackstraw served in two of Sherwood’s units, has Special Forces paratrooper training, is an explosives expert and is a pilot with nearly two dozen aliases.

— ryan gaydos, Fox News, "DB Cooper letter reveals hijacker's true identity, sleuths claim," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alias.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.