ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anonymity

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌænəˈnɪmɪti// UK //ˌænənˈɪmɪtˌi// anonymi·ty

n. the state of being unknown or not having your name shared with the public. You might want this if you are sharing a secret or donating money without wanting credit.

n. the state of remaining nameless or unidentified by the public. Often associated with privacy, security, or the withholding of personal data in digital and legal contexts.


SIMPLE

The donor requested total anonymity.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness was granted anonymity to protect them from potential retaliation after testifying in the high-profile case.

COMPLEX

The internet provides a degree of anonymity that can empower whistleblowers, yet it also facilitates a lack of accountability for those who engage in online harassment.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin anonymus or its etymon Ancient Greek ἀνώνυμος (anṓnumos, “anonymous”) + -ity. Compare French anonymité.

Usage

Commonly follows the verbs 'request', 'grant', or 'guarantee'.

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