pseudonym

noun

pseu·​do·​nym ˈsü-də-ˌnim 

: a fictitious name

especially : pen name

Did you know?

Pseudonym has its origins in the Greek adjective pseudōnymos, which means “bearing a false name.” French speakers adopted the Greek word as the noun pseudonyme, and English speakers later modified the French word into pseudonym. Many celebrated authors have used pseudonyms. Samuel Clemens wrote under the pseudonym “Mark Twain,” Charles Lutwidge Dodgson assumed the pseudonym “Lewis Carroll,” and Mary Ann Evans used “George Eliot” as her pseudonym.

Synonyms of pseudonym

• alias

Examples of pseudonym in a Sentence

Mark Twain is the pseudonym of the American writer Samuel L. Clemens.

the most notorious serial killer of the 19th century remains known only by the pseudonym of Jack the Ripper

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the game of spin the bottle, Andrey and Mark had never met (both men are referred to by pseudonyms to protect their identity). — Lesya Lapina & Sergey Hyugge, The Dial, 21 July 2026

For privacy purposes, he was allowed to register using a pseudonym. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

According to the court judgment, the pair arranged for employees and associates to drive up bidding prices at auction, inducing the collector, identified under the pseudonym Li Pin, to purchase the items at inflated prices. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

Éric Rohmer’s name is therefore none other than a pseudonym forged on two pseudonyms. — André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French pseudonyme, from Greek pseudōnymos bearing a false name, from pseud- + onyma name — more at name

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pseudonym

• under a pseudonym

Rhymes for pseudonym

• antonym
• kibbutzim
• synonym
• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb

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Kids Definition

pseudonym

noun

pseud·​onym

ˈsüd-ᵊn-ˌim

: a fictitious name

especially : pen name