nameless

adjective

name·​less ˈnām-ləs 

1

: obscure, undistinguished

2

: not known by name : anonymous

3

: having no legal right to a name (as due to being born to parents not married to each other)

4

: not having been given a name : unnamed

5

: not marked with a name

a nameless grave

6

a

: incapable of precise description : indefinable

b

: too repulsive or distressing to describe

namelessly adverb

namelessness noun

Synonyms

• anonymous
• faceless
• incognito
• innominate
• unbaptized
• unchristened
• unidentified
• unnamed
• untitled

Examples of nameless in a Sentence

She left the hotel with a nameless man in a black jacket.

The source for my story prefers to remain nameless.

A top government official, who shall remain nameless, has expressed concern about the decision.

The men were buried there in nameless graves.

Recent Examples on the Web

No names were attached to them — they were displayed as nameless, naked objects among the flora and fauna. —Alexandra Koster, refinery29.com, 17 Jan. 2024

The folkloric hero was replaced by a nameless thief, as well as a cobbler named Tack. —Tim Brinkhof, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024

At one point, young J.D. gets good at Algebra, ditches his nameless go-nowhere friends, and finds a part-time job — all in a brisk montage. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 July 2024

In a fight filled with razor-sharp hits, the moment that will live forever is Yen pummeling a nameless henchman into oblivion, catching him in a headlock and slowing down to wind his fist up like Bugs Bunny to land the knockout punch. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nameless

adjective

name·​less ˈnām-ləs 

1

: having no name

2

: not marked with a name

a nameless grave

3

: unknown entry 1, anonymous

a nameless hero

4

a

: impossible to describe

nameless fears

b

: too disgusting or disturbing to be described

nameless acts of cruelty