Anonymity Meaning
/ænəˈnɪmɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe quality or state of being anonymous (nameless or unidentified).
nounThat which is anonymous.
Sentence Examples
Anonymity or detailed reference are both fine.
The government official spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The author published the book under a pseudonym to preserve his ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The witness requested ____ to protect himself from any retribution.
Word Origin & History
From Latin anonymus or its etymon Ancient Greek ἀνώνυμος (anṓnumos, “anonymous”) + -ity. Compare French anonymité.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Now there are twenty-nine skaters on Wollman Rink
Circling in singles and in pairs
In this vigorous anonymity"
— 1976, Joni Mitchell, Song for Sharon:
"Although the pen-and-paper questionnaires did not require students to give their names, the potential for the teacher to be able to recognise handwriting of individual students led to the perceived loss of anonymity."
— 2017, Di Zou, James Lambert, “Feedback methods for student voice in the digital age”, in British Journal of Educational Technology, volume 48, number 5, page 1085:
""It really took off. People would literally come up to me in the street in New York saying 'Hey, Train Daddy, how's it goin'?'
"I am quite enjoying the anonymity of London so far..."
Given the high-profile task ahead of him, that isn't going to last for long."
— 2020 December 2, Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, “I enjoy really big challenges...”, in Rail, page 55:
"In one sense the protagonist is the poet himself, but in another sense he is an anonymity."
— 2006, Jatindra Mohan Mohanty, History of Oriya Literature, page 516:
"The profiteer who through a combine fleeces the public would scorn to wrong a friend or betray those of his own household. The problem then resolves itself into a question of the elimination of the impersonality, the anonymity of modern life that is made an excuse for moral irresponsibility."
— 1920, John M[offatt] Mecklin, “The Traits of the Great Society as Illustrated by the Corporation”, in An Introduction to Social Ethics: The Social Conscience in a Democracy, New York, N.Y.: Harcourt, Brace and Company, →OCLC, part I (Historical and Introductory), chapter IV (The Great Society), pages 78–79:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The author published the book under a pseudonym to preserve his ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The witness requested ____ to protect himself from any retribution.