anonymous

[ uh-non-uh-muh s ]
/ əˈnɒn ə məs /

adjective

without any name acknowledged, as that of author, contributor, or the like: an anonymous letter to the editor; an anonymous donation.
of unknown name; whose name is withheld: an anonymous author.
lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction: an endless row of drab, anonymous houses.

Origin of anonymous

1595–1605; < Latin anōnymus < Greek anṓnymos, equivalent to an- an-1 + -ōnym(a) (variant of ónyma) -onym (earlier ( a)n- with vowel lengthening; cf. anopheles) + -os adj. suffix; see -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM anonymous

a·non·y·mous·ness, noun a·non·y·mous·ly, adverb non·a·non·y·mous·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH anonymous

anomalous anonymous euonymus unanimous anonymous pseudonymous

Words nearby anonymous

anon., anonychia, anonym, anonymity, anonymize, anonymous, anopheles, anophthalmia, anopia, anopisthograph, anoplasty

Example sentences from the Web for anonymously

British Dictionary definitions for anonymously

anonymous
/ (əˈnɒnɪməs) /

adjective

from or by a person, author, etc, whose name is unknown or withheld an anonymous letter
having no known name
lacking individual characteristics; unexceptional
(often capital) denoting an organization which provides help to applicants who remain anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous

Derived forms of anonymous

anonymity (ˌænəˈnɪmɪtɪ), noun anonymously, adverb anonymousness, noun

Word Origin for anonymous

C17: via Late Latin from Greek anōnumos, from an- + onoma name