pseudonymous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pseudonymous" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means having a false name or alias, especially one used for writing. You can use it when describing an author who uses a pen name or false name to write; or a person who usually goes by a pseudonym. For example, "The author of the novel was pseudonymous, writing under the name John Smith."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He assigned the "authorship" of parts of texts to different pseudonyms, and invented further pseudonyms to be the editors or compilers of these pseudonymous writings.

SEP

First, the pseudonymous climber Mustang Wanted repainted a Soviet star on one of Moscow's Stalin-era Seven Sisters skyscrapers in Ukrainian colours and topped it with a flag, to the delight of Pussy Riot.

The Guardian

But before all that, the League tested the pop waters in 1979 with a pseudonymous release under the Men soubriquet.

The Guardian - Music

The pseudonymous Japanese name is a fake.

The Guardian

It was there in 1896 that the pseudonymous American writer O. Henry wrote "Cabbages and Kings", a derisive tale of torpor, in which he coined the term "banana republic".

The Economist

On October 31st 2008 Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonymous cryptography buff whose real identity remains a mystery, unveiled a project he dubbed bitcoin, "a new electronic cash system that's fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party".

The Economist

"No turning back!"In this section A sad and sorry decline The spirit of wrath is upon us Where green refuses to fade Sunnis v Shias, here and there A hard act to follow More worrying than ever Reprints Related topics Facebook Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front Robert Mugabe Politics ZimbabweZimbabweans tend to believe that this pseudonymous rabble-rouser really is an insider.

The Economist

"Muslim communities here don't feel comfortable with having an ex-Muslim around," she says, noting that extremists living in the West may harass non-believers there too.Facebook groups for atheists, mostly pseudonymous, exist in almost every Muslim country.

The Economist

Meanwhile, a young, tech-savvy population has taken to reading opinion on the internet, in blogs penned by pseudonymous authors.

The Economist

A wordy article by a pseudonymous author on the second page of the party's mouthpiece, the People's Daily, has just been used to deliver a message of defiance in the face of mounting public criticism of the country's economic reforms.

The Economist

They had been exposed in a sting by the pseudonymous Arab, Mazher Mahmood, a star reporter for the now-defunct tabloid newspaper, the News of the World.Posing as the Indian head of a Singapore-based betting syndicate, Mr Mahmood had filmed a British associate of the players pocketing £150,000 ($240,000) in marked notes in return for a promise to arrange match-fixing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing authorship, clarify whether the work is "anonymous" (name unknown) or "pseudonymous" (false name used).

Common error

Avoid using "anonymous" when "pseudonymous" is more accurate. "Anonymous" means the author is unknown, while "pseudonymous" means the author is using a false name.

Linguistic Context

The word "pseudonymous" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something or someone is using a false or assumed name. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s used to describe authors who publish under a pen name.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pseudonymous" is an adjective used to describe something or someone using a false or assumed name. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. Its usage spans from academic and scientific writing to news reporting and general encyclopedic references. Common contexts include describing authors, bloggers, or sources whose true identities are concealed. Related phrases include "under an assumed name" or "using a pseudonym". When using the word "pseudonymous", it's important to distinguish it from "anonymous", which means the author's identity is completely unknown. It is very common across a range of authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under a pseudonym

Directly refers to the use of a pen name, commonly used in writing and other creative fields.

using a nom de plume

Emphasizes the literary aspect of using a false name, mainly for authors.

under an assumed name

Focuses on the act of adopting a different name, emphasizing the concealment of true identity.

under a fictitious name

Highlights the invented nature of the name used, suggesting it is not real.

using an alias

Highlights the use of an alternative identity, which may or may not be completely fictitious.

falsely named

Directly indicates that the name being used is not the real one.

anonymously

Emphasizes the lack of any identified name, rather than a false one.

incognito

Focuses on disguising one's true identity to avoid recognition.

under cover

Suggests secrecy and hidden identity, often implying a deliberate attempt to avoid detection.

nom de guerre

Implies the adoption of a false name within a specific context, usually military or revolutionary.

FAQs

How is "pseudonymous" used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "pseudonymous" often describes authors of historical or philosophical texts who wrote under assumed names, such as the "pseudonymous author" of certain religious works.

What's the difference between "anonymous" and "pseudonymous"?

"Anonymous" means the author's identity is completely unknown. "Pseudonymous" means the author is using a false name. An "anonymous source" is different from a "pseudonymous blogger".

Can you use "pseudonymous" to describe something other than a person?

Yes, you can use "pseudonymous" to describe a work (like a book or article) that is published under a false name. For example, a "pseudonymous publication".

What are some examples of when a writer might choose to be "pseudonymous"?

A writer might choose to be "pseudonymous" to protect their identity, to write in a different genre, or to avoid association with their real name, especially when exploring controversial topics or assuming a character's voice. Robert Galbraith is a "pseudonymous author".