alias

adverb ali·as \ ˈā-lē-əs , ˈāl-yəs \

Updated on: 18 Apr 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.

See alias defined for English-language learners

See alias defined for kids

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

Ma Prem Hasya, alias Francoise Ruddy, succeeded Ma Anand Sheela when Sheela left Rajneeshpuram in September 1985 under a cloud of criminal accusations.

— win mccormack, The New Republic, "Bhagwan’s Rich Folk," 12 Apr. 2018
Unfortunately for him, that alias also had a warrant.

— samantha swindler, OregonLive.com, "Driver swerved to avoid hitting Pikachu: Forest Grove police log," 9 Apr. 2018
Traces of her social media presence left online, as well as her personal website, show that Aghdam went by the alias Nasime Sabz.

— louise matsakis, WIRED, "Police Say YouTube Policies Motivated Shooter," 4 Apr. 2018
The stranger asked Henry to come up with an alias for him.

— hannah dreier, Daily Intelligencer, "The Betrayal of Triste," 2 Apr. 2018
One male gave the officers a false name; officers determined the name was an alias, and that the male had an active felony warrant for identity theft from California.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boynton, Lantana Area Crime Log: Feb. 8 - March 11," 20 Mar. 2018
Both used aliases while seeking donations, records say.

— ryan martin, Indianapolis Star, "Instead of helping Hoosier veterans, they went to the casino, indictment says," 16 Mar. 2018
There, fans can make suggestions in categories such as genre, aliases, explicitness, languages, tags and artist roles, which includes composers.

— billboard staff, Billboard, "Spotify Launches Tool for Crowdsourcing Song and Album Data," 12 Mar. 2018
Last week, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging four Peruvian men in the money-laundering conspiracy, including a longtime gold smuggler known by the alias Peter Ferrari.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "2 gold dealers who led massive money-laundering scheme sentenced to prison | Miami Herald," 19 Jan. 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.

Origin and Etymology of alias

see ¹alias

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1605

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

alias Synonyms

Synonyms

byname, cognomen, epithet, handle, moniker (also monicker), nickname, sobriquet (also soubriquet), surname;

anonym, nom de guerre, nom de plume, pen name, pseudonym;

ALIAS Defined for Kids

alias

adverb \ ˈā-lē-əs \

Definition of alias for Students

: otherwise known as

Samuel Clemens, alias Mark Twain wrote many stories about life on the Mississippi.

alias

noun

Definition of alias for Students

: a false name

The criminal used several aliases.

Law Dictionary

alias

adverb \ ˈā-lē-əs, ˈāl-yəs \

legal Definition of alias

: otherwise called : also known as

John Thomas Nolan, alias Legs Diamond

Origin and Etymology of alias

Latin, otherwise, from alius other

alias

noun

legal Definition of alias

: an assumed or additional name

alias

adjective

legal Definition of alias

: issued after the original instrument has not produced any action

an alias tax warrant

an alias summons

— compare pluries

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alias Spanish Central: Translation of alias Nglish: Translation of alias for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alias for Arabic speakers

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alias

Definition of alias

Origin and Etymology of alias

alias

Definition of alias

Recent Examples of alias from the Web

Origin and Etymology of alias

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Synonyms

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ALIAS Defined for Kids

alias

Definition of alias for Students

alias

Definition of alias for Students

Law Dictionary

alias

legal Definition of alias

Origin and Etymology of alias

alias

legal Definition of alias

alias

legal Definition of alias

Learn More about alias

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