anonymous
gb/ənˈɑnəməs/ us/ənˈɑnəməs/
B1
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Without a known name
Not having your name known to other people.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is anonymous
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'anonymous' with 'famous', but they have opposite meanings in terms of recognition.
Synonyms
nameless (More literary or poetic; less common in everyday use.)
|
unidentified (More formal and often used in official or police contexts.)
Antonyms
named (Indicates that the person's name is given or known.)
|
identified (Suggests the person's identity has been confirmed.)
Collocations
anonymous source
|anonymous letter
|remain anonymous
|anonymous donor
|post anonymously
Themes
identity
|privacy
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The letter was sent by an anonymous writer.
- An anonymous source revealed the information to the press.
- He made an anonymous donation to the charity.
- The survey responses will remain anonymous.
- She received an anonymous message online.
Learner examples
- I got an anonymous email.
- He gave money to the school as an anonymous gift.
- We got a call from an anonymous person.
- The writer of the story is anonymous.
adjective
B2
property
2
Lacking distinctive character
Having nothing special or different that makes you easy to notice or remember.
Usage pattern:
[something] is anonymous
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the 'unknown name' sense; here it refers to appearance or character, not identity.
Synonyms
featureless (Focuses on the absence of noticeable features.)
|
unremarkable (Emphasizes being ordinary or not worth special attention.)
Antonyms
distinctive (Clearly different from others in a way that is easy to recognize.)
|
memorable (Easily remembered because it is special or unusual.)
Collocations
anonymous building
|anonymous style
|anonymous design
Themes
description
|aesthetics
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The hotel room was clean but completely anonymous.
- He works in an anonymous office building downtown.
- The neighborhood is full of anonymous apartment blocks.
Learner examples
- The room was nice but anonymous.
- It is an anonymous street with many houses.
- The shop has an anonymous design.
Grammar
Dictionary form
anonymous
IPA
GB/ənˈɑnəməs/
US/ənˈɑnəməs/
Syllables & stress
an - onym - ous (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (onym)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: anonymous
Word family
Core family
anonymity
noun B2
anonymously
adverb
Related words
anonymize
verb C1
Advanced or less common
anonymization
noun C1
Expressions
anonymous source
2/ənˈɑnəməs sˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
Unnamed provider of information
Someone who gives information but does not want their name known.
Examples
- An anonymous source leaked the documents.
- Journalists often protect their anonymous sources.
post anonymously
3/pˈoʊst ənˈɑnəməsli/
fixed phrase
Publish without revealing identity
To put something online without showing your name.
Examples
- You can post anonymously on the forum.
- He posted anonymously to avoid attention.
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.