ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anon

adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌæˈnɔn// UK //ɐnˈɒn// anon Archaic

adv. short for anonymous, meaning that the person's name is not known or not given. You see this word often online when someone posts without showing their identity.

adv. serving as a shortened form of anonymous; describing a person or entity whose identity is concealed or undisclosed. Common in digital contexts and informal writing.


SIMPLE

An anon user posted a helpful comment.

CONTEXTUAL

The anon donor gave money to the school without asking for credit.

COMPLEX

In the age of social media, anon posting allows users to share controversial opinions without fear of personal backlash.

Etymology 1

From Middle English anoon, anon, anan (literally “in one (moment)”), from on (“in”) + ān (“one”). See on and one.

Etymology 2

Clipping of anonymous.

Usage

Used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb.

Pitfall

the anon personthe anonymous personAnon is informal; use anonymous in formal writing.

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