alias
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a false name that a person uses, often to hide who they really are.
n.a false or assumed name, typically used to conceal one's true identity.
Simple“The spy traveled across the border using an alias and a fake passport.”
In context“The suspect had operated under several different aliases for years, making it nearly impossible for the authorities to track his financial history.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a short name or command that stands for a longer one to save time.
n.a user-defined shortcut or abbreviation that represents a longer command or string of commands.
Simple“I created an alias for that long command so I only have to type two letters.”
In context“By setting up an alias in the shell configuration, the developer significantly reduced the time spent on repetitive directory navigation.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adv.used to introduce a second name that someone is known by.
adv.used to indicate that a person or thing is also known by another name.
Simple“The famous criminal, alias 'The Fox', was finally caught yesterday.”
In context“The document listed the defendant as Robert Miller, alias 'Bobby the Gent', to ensure all known identities were legally recognized.”
UsageUsually placed between the primary name and the secondary name.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to give a file or a piece of data a second, easier name.
v.to assign an alternative identifier to a data object or command.
Simple“You can alias this complex database column to make the report easier to read.”
In context“The software allows users to alias network drives, providing a consistent path regardless of the underlying hardware configuration.”
“On 7th September, Europol updated its list to include Vega, known by his criminal alias El Tigre (The Tiger).”
From Latin alias (“at another time; at another place, elsewhere, under other circumstances, otherwise”). See else and alien.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.