pen name

noun

: an author's pseudonym

Examples of pen name in a Sentence

Samuel L. Clemens is better known by his pen name “Mark Twain.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The artists tend to be reluctant influencers; many use pen names, and almost all prefer to use illustrations to depict themselves publicly. Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 His third and current pen name is evidence of him fulfilling that debt to himself. Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025 In an odd coincidence, The Long Walk actually represents the first of two King novels that were released under his Richard Bachman pen name that have been adapted into films this fall, and both are about dystopian contests. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025 Then, text appears, responding to Lubelfeld’s question as if its writer is Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain. Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pen name

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pen name was circa 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Pen name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pen%20name. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pen name

noun
: a false name used by an author

More from Merriam-Webster on pen name

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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