anonymity
gb/ˌænənˈɪmɪti/ us/ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
B2
English
névtelenség, anonimitás, ismeretlenség, azonosíthatatlanság
NOUN
B2
1
névtelenség
B2
anonimitás
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] maintains/preserves anonymity
The donor requested anonymity, so the charity did not publish her name.
Az adományozó névtelenséget kért, ezért a jótékonysági szervezet nem hozta nyilvánosságra a nevét.
Wearing a mask helped him keep his anonymity in the crowd.
A maszk segített neki megőrizni a névtelenségét a tömegben.
Online, people sometimes trade accuracy for the comfort of anonymity.
Learner examples
I want anonymity online.
Szeretnék névtelen maradni az interneten.
She asked for anonymity.
Névtelenséget kért.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse anonymity (a noun) with anonymous (an adjective).
Meaning
being unknown by name
Collocations
remain in anonymity
|maintain anonymity
|preserve anonymity
|protect anonymity
|ensure anonymity
|complete anonymity
|total anonymity
|guarantee anonymity
|give someone anonymity
|lose anonymity
Synonyms
namelessness (Focuses on not having a name attached.)
|
privacy (Broader; includes being free from attention as well as being unidentified.)
Antonyms
identifiability (The condition of being able to be identified.)
|
publicity (Attention that makes someone known to the public.)
Themes
identity
|privacy
|communication
Definition
when people do not know who you are
The state of not being identified by name or other personal details.
NOUN
C1
2
névtelenség
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] emerges from anonymity
The band went from anonymity to stardom in a single summer.
A zenekar egyetlen nyár alatt az ismeretlenségből a sztárságig jutott.
After the scandal, he tried to retreat into anonymity.
A botrány után megpróbált visszavonulni az ismeretlenségbe.
Most researchers work in anonymity despite making important discoveries.
Learner examples
The singer left anonymity and became famous.
Az énekes kilépett az ismeretlenségből, és híres lett.
Common mistake:
This meaning is about not being famous, not necessarily about hiding your identity.
Meaning
lack of fame or recognition
Collocations
live in anonymity
|fade into anonymity
|sink into anonymity
|emerge from anonymity
|rise from anonymity
|relative anonymity
|years of anonymity
|return to anonymity
Synonyms
obscurity (More literary/formal; emphasizes being forgotten or unnoticed.)
|
unknownness (More general and less formal.)
Antonyms
fame (Being widely known and talked about.)
|
recognition (Being noticed and acknowledged for who you are or what you did.)
Themes
society
|media
|work
Definition
a situation where nobody knows you
The state of not being well known or publicly recognized.
NOUN
C1
3
anonimitás
C1
névtelenség
B2
Usage pattern:
promise/guarantee [someone] anonymity
The newspaper offered anonymity to protect the whistleblower.
A lap anonimitást biztosított a visszaélést bejelentőnek, hogy megvédje őt.
The program guarantees anonymity for callers who report abuse.
A program anonimitást garantál a bántalmazást bejelentő telefonálóknak.
Without anonymity, many victims would be afraid to come forward.
Learner examples
The reporter promised anonymity.
Az újságíró anonimitást ígért.
Common mistake:
Anonymity is not the same as confidentiality: confidentiality means others may know your identity but must not share it.
Meaning
protection from being identified
Collocations
promise anonymity
|guarantee anonymity
|offer anonymity
|grant anonymity
|anonymity for sources
|anonymity for witnesses
|request anonymity
|protect a source's anonymity
|preserve a witness's anonymity
|strip someone of anonymity
Synonyms
confidentiality (Identity may be known to some but not disclosed.)
|
privacy (Broader; includes control over personal information, not only identity.)
Antonyms
disclosure (Making identity or information known.)
|
attribution (Publicly naming who said or did something.)
Themes
law
|media
|internet
|privacy
Definition
safety from people finding out who you are
Protection that prevents a person’s identity from being discovered, especially in public reporting or online activity.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
provide [something] with anonymity; anonymity of [data/users]
The survey was designed to preserve anonymity so employees would answer honestly.
A felmérést úgy tervezték meg, hogy megőrizze az anonimitást, így a dolgozók őszintén válaszoljanak.
The new policy limits anonymity by requiring verified accounts.
Az új szabályzat korlátozza az anonimitást azzal, hogy hitelesített fiókokat ír elő.
Researchers warned that apparent anonymity can fail if datasets are combined.
Learner examples
The survey gives anonymity to students.
A felmérés anonimitást biztosít a diákoknak.
Common mistake:
In tech contexts, anonymity is not always absolute; data can sometimes be re-identified.
Meaning
untraceability in systems or data
Collocations
data anonymity
|user anonymity
|network anonymity
|ensure anonymity
|preserve anonymity
|anonymity guarantee
|anonymity set
|anonymity of participants
|anonymity in surveys
|online anonymity
Synonyms
de-identification (Emphasizes removing identifying details from data.)
|
unlinkability (Focuses on not being able to connect actions to a person.)
Antonyms
traceability (Ability to track actions or data back to a person.)
|
identification (The act or result of finding out who someone is.)
Themes
technology
|data
|security
|research
Definition
when data or actions cannot be connected to you
The condition in which actions or data cannot be linked to a specific person, especially in technology or research contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
anonymity
IPA
GB/ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
US/ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
Syllables & stress
an - onym - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: anonymity
- Plural: anonymity
Word family
Core family
anonymous
adjective B1
anonymously
adverb
Related words
anonymize
verb C1
anonymization
noun C1
Advanced or less common
deanonymize
verb
deanonymization
noun
Expressions
grant anonymity
1/ɡɹˈænt ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
officially allow secrecy of identity
to allow someone to stay unknown
Examples
- The editor granted anonymity to the source to prevent retaliation.
- The university granted anonymity to students who reported harassment.
- The court may grant anonymity to vulnerable witnesses.
Learner examples
- They granted anonymity to the witness.
guarantee anonymity
1/ɡˌɛɹəntˈi ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
promise identity will not be revealed
to promise to keep names secret
Examples
- The hotline guarantees anonymity to anyone who calls.
- The company could not guarantee anonymity in such a small team.
- Researchers guaranteed anonymity for all participants.
Learner examples
- The hotline guarantees anonymity.
in anonymity
1/ˈɪn ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
fixed phrase
without being known
without anyone knowing you
Examples
- For years, she worked in anonymity despite her talent.
- Most volunteers serve in anonymity and never seek credit.
- The artist preferred to live in anonymity.
Learner examples
- He lived in anonymity.
on condition of anonymity
1/ˈɔn kəndˈɪʃən əv ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
only if identity is hidden
only if people do not know who you are
Examples
- A senior official spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are ongoing.
- The employee agreed to be interviewed on condition of anonymity.
- She provided documents on condition of anonymity.
Learner examples
- He spoke on condition of anonymity.
protect someone's anonymity
1/pɹətˈɛkt sˈʌmwˌʌnz ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
fixed phrase
keep someone unidentified
to keep someone’s name secret
Examples
- The court ordered the press to protect the child's anonymity.
- Doctors must protect patients' anonymity in published case studies.
- We removed the location data to protect her anonymity.
Learner examples
- Please protect my anonymity.
remain anonymous
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ənˈɑnəməs/
fixed phrase
Keep identity undisclosed
To not have your name given out or known.
Examples
- The caller wished to remain anonymous.
- You can remain anonymous if you prefer.
remain anonymous
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ənˈɑnəməs/
fixed phrase
keep identity secret
to not tell people who you are
Examples
- The caller refused to give a name and asked to remain anonymous.
- Several donors chose to remain anonymous.
- If you report the issue, you can remain anonymous.
Learner examples
- I want to remain anonymous.
the anonymity of the internet
1/ðə ˌænənˈɪmɪti əv ðə ˈɪntɚnˌɛt/
fixed phrase
online hidden identity
when people online can hide who they are
Examples
- The anonymity of the internet can encourage honest questions as well as cruelty.
- Many teens underestimate how limited the anonymity of the internet really is.
- The anonymity of the internet makes it easier to join support groups.
Learner examples
- The anonymity of the internet can be risky.
under the cloak of anonymity
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə klˈoʊk əv ˌænənˈɪmɪti/
fixed phrase
hidden identity enables behavior
with your name hidden
Examples
- Some users say things they would never say in person under the cloak of anonymity.
- The forum allows people to criticize employers under the cloak of anonymity.
- He sent threats under the cloak of anonymity.
Learner examples
- People can hide under the cloak of anonymity online.