alter ego

noun

al·​ter ego ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-(ˌ)gō 

also

-ˈe-(ˌ)gō 

plural alter egos

1

: a second self or different version of oneself: such as

a

: a trusted friend

b

: the opposite side of a personality

Clark Kent and his alter ego Superman

c

: counterpart sense 3

a fictional character that is the author's alter ego

2

law : a person or entity vicariously liable for another (such as an agent)

… because the Cuban bank had not physically participated in the expropriation, it could not be considered an alter ego of the Government in the context of the Citibank case.

—The New York Times

Did you know?

In Latin, alter ego literally means "second I". An alter ego can be thought of as a person's clone or second self. A professional alter ego might be a trusted aide who knows exactly what the boss wants done. A personal alter ego might be a close friend who is almost like a twin. Alter ego can also refer to the second, hidden side of one's own self. In Robert Louis Stevenson's classic The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll is a good-hearted, honorable man; but after taking a potion, his alter ego, the loathsome and diabolical Mr. Hyde, takes over his personality.

Synonyms

• amigo
• buddy
• chum
• compadre
• comrade
• confidant
• confidante
• crony
• familiar
• friend
• intimate
• mate [chiefly British]
• musketeer
• pal

Examples of alter ego in a Sentence

a trusted adviser who is the President's alter ego

over the years the state's other senator became his alter ego as well as his political ally

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, Thurgood and his pot-selling alter ego, Mr. Nice, become a little too successful, incurring the wrath of the local drug dealer. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

The series finale found David’s fictional alter ego on trial in Atlanta for violating a real-life Georgia law that bars giving food or drinks to people waiting in line to vote. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

But the beauty of this novel comes from the grace with which Fisher approaches her fictional alter ego. —Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

He’s played by Lee Kang-sheng, Tsai’s longtime collaborator and on-screen alter ego. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024

In moments that casually transcend reality, Rudy has conversations with his opinionated puppet Diego, an alter ego for the artist, about his lack of direction and convoluted love life. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024

The loss of Eileen and return of the self-pitying Orwell alter ego are certainly linked. —Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024

Henson’s vision spawned countless keepsake moments, where mingling with fans while alternating between Hugo and his alter ego, Super Hugo, is a common occurrence. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024

And The Spiders From Mars, and the many U.K. radio sessions and TV appearances Bowie’s famous alter ego participated in. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin alter egō "close friend," literally "other I," perhaps as translation of Greek állos egṓ, héteros egṓ

Note: Cf. M. Tullius cicero, Letters to Atticus 3.15.4.: "… me enim ipsum multo magis accuso, deinde te quasi me alterum et simul meae culpae socium quaero." ("I am reproaching myself far more than you, and if I do reproach you it is as my alter ego; also I am looking for someone to share the blame" - translation by D. R. Shackleton Bailey.)

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

alter ego

noun

al·​ter ego ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-gō 

1

: a trusted friend or personal representative

2

: the opposite side of a personality

Legal Definition

alter ego

noun

al·​ter ego ˈȯl-tər-ˈē-gō 

: second self

especially : a person or entity vicariously liable for another (as an agent)

had the officer been the alter ego of the corporation

—J. J. White and R. S. Summers

compare instrumentality

Note: The concept of a legal alter ego is used primarily to hold the controlling parties of a corporation personally liable instead of limiting liability to the corporate entity.

Etymology

Latin, literally, second I