anonymous

Everyday

1. Anonymous means made, given or done by someone whose name is not known or not told. tree →
2. A person who is anonymous is not named or not known. tree →
3. Something plain and dull with nothing special about it can be called anonymous: «an anonymous grey building». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you may see an anonymous letter, an anonymous gift to a charity, or an anonymous survey where you do not write your name. Online safety lessons teach that people can be anonymous online, so you cannot always know who they are. In poetry books «Anonymous» or «Anon.» means the poet's name is unknown. Phrases: «remain anonymous», «an anonymous donor», «an anonymous tip».

Examples

• Someone left an anonymous note on my desk. tree →
• An anonymous donor gave the hospital a lot of money. tree →
• The survey is anonymous, so do not write your name. tree →
• The poem was written by Anonymous. tree →
• The man wanted to stay anonymous, so the paper did not print his name. tree →
• Online, people can be anonymous, so be careful who you talk to. tree →
• The office was in an anonymous grey building. tree →

Note

Adjective; adverb «anonymously»; noun «anonymity». Spelling: a-n-o-n-y-m-o-u-s; stress on the second part: a-NON-y-mous. Short form «Anon.». Being anonymous online does not make bad behaviour all right.