nom de plume

noun

ˌnäm-di-ˈplüm 

plural noms de plume ˌnäm(z)-di-ˈplüm 

: a name that a writer uses instead of his or her real name : pseudonym, pen name

Under her nom de plume, [Stacey] Abrams, 44, has published eight romantic thrillers …

—Dartunorro Clark

A woman's name on a book practically guarantees marginalization—which is why so many geniuses, from the Brontë sisters to George Sand and George Eliot, chose to use male noms de plume.

—Erica Jong

Examples of nom de plume in a Sentence

He wrote under a nom de plume.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dickens had taken a nom de plume in the tradition of journalists and periodical writers, but there was no need to conceal his identity. —Kirsty McHugh, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025

Ludwig is the nom de plume of John Taylor, played by David Mitchell. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

The fear of having gender stereotypes applied to their work is a common reason for authors to use a nom de plume. —Scotty Hendricks, Big Think, 18 Feb. 2025

Charlie Peacock’s stage name sounds like it was designed to be the nom de plume for a pop superstar, not someone who would become more renowned for his behind-the-scenes work as a producer, songwriter and label owner. —Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, pen name; probably coined in English

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nom de plume

• anteroom
• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume

Kids Definition

nom de plume

noun

ˌnäm-di-ˈplüm 

plural noms de plume ˌnäm(z)-di- 

: pen name

Etymology

a phrase believed to have been made up in English as a French translation of pen name; from French nom "name" and de "of" and plume "(the) pen"