alias

1 of 2

noun

ali·​as ˈā-lē-əs 

ˈāl-yəs

plural aliases

: an assumed or additional name that a person sometimes uses

a fugitive using several aliases

John Smith, who goes by the alias Richard Jones

He checked into the hotel using an alias. = He checked into the hotel under an alias.

"My [gaming] alias when I was 18 … was Princess Peach," she [Bella Hadid] says with glee …

—Alex Frank

sometimes, specifically : a pseudonym (such as a pen name or stage name) that is associated with a person's professional identity

wrote the novels under an alias

Donald Glover, also known under his rap alias Childish Gambino, is an actor, writer, director, comedian and musician.

—Mark Warren

Vin Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, took on the tougher-sounding moniker as a bouncer in New York; the alias stuck as he transitioned into acting.

—Mae Ross

alias

2 of 2

adverb

: otherwise called : otherwise known as

—used to indicate an additional name that a person sometimes uses

John Smith alias Richard Jones

the outlaw William H. Bonney, Jr. alias "Billy the Kid"

Synonyms

Noun

• byname
• cognomen
• epithet
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• nickname
• sobriquet
• soubriquet
• surname

Examples of alias in a Sentence

Noun

a fugitive using several aliases

a dressmaker whom everyone knows as “Bet,” her adopted alias in the dressmaking business that she named after Betsy Ross

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One suspect is originally from Venezuela and multiple suspects have aliases, according to court records. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

Officials warn Hamlett is considered armed and dangerous and is known to use various aliases, and anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 or Monroe County Dispatch. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024

That was when Andy Newman — alias Thunderclap — enchanted me with his piano playing. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024

Superheroes or characters who go by aliases would count for either their human name (Logan) or superhero name (The Wolverine). —Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

noun derivative of alias entry 2

Adverb

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin aliās (short for aliās dictus "at other times called"), going back to Latin, "at other times, in other cases, otherwise," from alius "other" + -ās, adverbial suffix (perhaps accusative plural ending, with noun vicēs "turns, times" understood) — more at else

First Known Use

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing alias

• under an alias

Kids Definition

alias

1 of 2 adverb

ˈā-lē-əs,

ˈāl-yəs

: otherwise called : otherwise known as

John Doe alias Richard Roe

alias

2 of 2 noun

: an assumed or additional name

Legal Definition

alias

1 of 3 adverb

ˈā-lē-əs, ˈāl-yəs 

: otherwise called : also known as

John Thomas Nolan, alias Legs Diamond

alias

2 of 3 noun

: an assumed or additional name

alias

3 of 3 adjective

: issued after the original instrument has not produced any action

an alias tax warrant

an alias summons

compare pluries

Etymology

Adverb

Latin, otherwise, from alius other