Word
moniker
US/ˈmɑnɪkɝ/
UK/mˈɒnɪkɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a name or nickname for a person or thing. It is often used when someone has a special or famous name instead of their real one.
n. a name or nickname by which a person or thing is known. Often used in journalistic or literary contexts to refer to an alias or a descriptive title.
Examples
“He is better known by his stage moniker than his real name.”
“The city earned the moniker 'The Big Apple' in the 1920s and it has stuck ever since.”
“While his legal name was rarely spoken, the artist's moniker became a global brand that represented an entire movement of underground street art and social commentary.”
Examples
simple
“He is better known by his stage moniker than his real name.”
contextual
“The city earned the moniker 'The Big Apple' in the 1920s and it has stuck ever since.”
complex
“While his legal name was rarely spoken, the artist's moniker became a global brand that represented an entire movement of underground street art and social commentary.”
Real-World Examples
“The team has named the object MoM-BH*-1, after the survey that detected it, as well as the moniker "black hole star—one," which implies that the object is the first of others.” “They also gave it the moniker "black hole star - one," suggesting it may be the first example of a broader population.” Etymology
Unknown; first attested in 1849. Suggested derivations are: * Backslang for ekename (compare nickname); * From Shelta munik, munika; * From monk; * Partridge (A Dictionary of Historical Slang) suggests a corruption of monogram, which is suggestive of the sense signature. * From monarch in the sense 'king or No. 1, and thus with frank egotism, "I, myself".' (The Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. 281, pg. 349.) Online Etymological Dictionary's entry cites the Saturday Review (London newspaper) of 1857, which noted, "the word has a certain Coptic or Egyptian twang".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/moniker