alter ego

noun al·ter ego \ ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-(ˌ)gō also -ˈe-(ˌ)gō \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of alter ego

: 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 3

a fictional character that is the author's alter ego

See alter ego defined for English-language learners

See alter ego defined for kids

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 of alter ego from the Web

The parents are naturally disgusted by the vulgarity at first, whereas near the end of the video, Bregoli's 1960s alter ego is furious over a surprise celebrity cameo in the form of a well-meaning milkman.

— abby jones, Billboard, "Bhad Bhabie Gets a Retro Makeover With 'Gucci Flip Flops' Music Video: Watch," 1 May 2018
But Freddy Lim has an alter ego — a transformation as complete as Clark Kent’s into Superman.

— simon denyer, Washington Post, "Death metal singer aims to breathe new life into Taiwanese, and Asian, democracy," 30 Apr. 2018
The shirt design was created by Michael Comunale, an entertainer known for his stoner alter ego HotRock SupaJoint.

— lorraine longhi, azcentral, "Phoenix comedian goes viral with #GreenForEd after Fox 10 anchor tweet," 26 Apr. 2018
On May 5, Glover will make audiences laugh, while his alter ego, Childish Gambino, provides the music.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "The Quick Read: Toni Braxton May Tour Solo After Booting Tamar," 16 Apr. 2018
Beyond simply being a colossal advertisement for its brand, the exhibit enables Marvel to delve into the neuroscience behind Dr. Bruce Banner’s metamorphosis into his green alter ego as well as Capt.

— larry greenemeier, Scientific American, "Marvel Comics Gets Inside the Heads of the Avengers," 21 Aug. 2014
On Russia, the President's foreign policy trash talking alter ego -- who has come out before, notably in taunting North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un -- was threatening Russia in tandem with Syria.

— z. byron wolf, CNN, "Trump has lost the ability to distract from Mueller," 11 Apr. 2018
In the comics, Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Air Force pilot Carol Danvers, who becomes a hero when her DNA is fused with an alien's after an accident.

— mia galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, "Lashana Lynch Replacing DeWanda Wise in 'Captain Marvel' (Exclusive)," 16 Mar. 2018
The Big Aristotle, the Big Cactus, The Big Shamrock, Superman, the Big Diesel are just a few of his alter egos that spring to mind.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Happy Birthday, Shaquille O'Neal: The Best of the Big Diesel," 6 Mar. 2018

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

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.

Origin and Etymology of alter ego

Latin, literally, second I

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1537

in the meaning defined above

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alter ego Synonyms

ALTER EGO Defined for English Language Learners

alter ego

noun

Definition of alter ego for English Language Learners

: a different version of yourself
: a close friend who thinks or feels similarly to the way you think or feel

Law Dictionary

alter ego

noun al·ter ego \ ˈȯl-tər-ˈē-gō \

legal Definition of alter ego

: 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.