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

At the same time, Kern began having an affair with Dana, who uses a pseudonym in the docuseries, another Colorado Springs police department employee. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

That song features a special guest, credited under the pseudonym Son-John Johnson, who sure sounds a lot like Geese’s Cameron Winter — another indie singer-songwriter who often seems ambivalent about being put under the microscope of fame. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

Some of these up-and-coming filmmakers, however, create cinematic experiences not under their legal names, but pseudonyms. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026

Pérez is using a pseudonym out of fear of immigration retaliation. — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 30 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