anonymous
/ə'nɔniməs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not identified by name; of unknown name: Used to describe a person, group, or thing whose name is not known or is withheld.
- Lacking individuality, character, or distinction: Used to describe something that is not unique or distinctive, often in a negative sense.
Usage and Examples
- Describing an unnamed person or source:
- The donation was made by an anonymous benefactor.
- The poem was published by an anonymous author.
- Describing something lacking distinct features:
- He worked in an anonymous office building in the city center.
- The report criticized the anonymous architecture of the new housing development.
Advanced Usage
- "to remain anonymous": To choose not to reveal one's identity.
- The whistleblower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.
- "anonymous to": Not known or recognized by someone.
- The donor was anonymous to the public but known to the board.
Variants and Related Words
- Anonymity (n): The condition of being anonymous.
- The witness was granted anonymity for their protection.
- Anonymously (adv): In an anonymous manner.
- The tip was submitted anonymously.
Synonyms
- Unnamed: Not having been given a name.
- Unidentified: Not recognized or known.
- Faceless: Lacking character or individuality (often for organizations).
Antonyms
- Identified: Having been recognized or named.
- Named: Having a specified name.
- Famous: Known about by many people.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Anonymous as a ghost: Completely untraceable or unidentifiable.
- The hacker operated, anonymous as a ghost, for years before being caught.
- In the anonymous mass: As part of a large, indistinguishable group.
- It's easy to feel lost in the anonymous mass of a big city.
Adjective
- not known or lacking marked individuality
- brown anonymous houses
- anonymous bureaucrats in the Civil Service
- having no known name or identity or known source
- anonymous authors
- anonymous donors
- an anonymous gift