alter ego

noun

al·ter ego ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-(ˌ)gō

also

-ˈe-(ˌ)gō

plural alter egos

Synonyms of alter ego next

: a second self or different version of oneself: such as

: a trusted friend

: the opposite side of a personality

Clark Kent and his alter ego Superman

: counterpart sense 3

a fictional character that is the author's alter ego

law : a person or entity vicariously liable for another (such as an agent)

… because the Cuban bank had not physically participated in the expropriation, it could not be considered an alter ego of the Government in the context of the Citibank case.—

The New York Times

Did you know?

In Latin, alter ego literally means "second I". An alter ego can be thought of as a person's clone or second self. A professional alter ego might be a trusted aide who knows exactly what the boss wants done. A personal alter ego might be a close friend who is almost like a twin. Alter ego can also refer to the second, hidden side of one's own self. In Robert Louis Stevenson's classic The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll is a good-hearted, honorable man; but after taking a potion, his alter ego, the loathsome and diabolical Mr. Hyde, takes over his personality.

Examples of alter ego in a Sentence

a trusted adviser who is the President's alter ego over the years the state's other senator became his alter ego as well as his political ally

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This intensely private man, whose performance-art alter ego became an above-the-title star of stage and screen while he purposefully puppet-mastered in the shadows, doesn’t like the idea of being stuck in the passenger seat of his own story. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 The seventh annual festival-circus-carnival hybrid with games and rides will feature performances by John Summit, Ludacris, DJ Irie, Myles O’Neal and DJ Diesel (the alter ego of host Shaquille O’Neal, a Louisiana State University alum). —

Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 Television How Edie Falco Made Carmela Soprano Matter Matthew Eng Carmela remains Falco’s most enduring on-screen alter ego, the crystallization of her mysterious genius. —

Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025 Lane is an award-winning reporter for the Metropolis newspaper, the Daily Planet, who becomes Superman — and his alter ego Clark Kent's — closest confidant and primary love interest. —

Jordana Comiter, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alter ego

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin alter egō "close friend," literally "other I," perhaps as translation of Greek állos egṓ, héteros egṓ

Note: Cf. M. Tullius cicero, Letters to Atticus 3.15.4.: "… me enim ipsum multo magis accuso, deinde te quasi me alterum et simul meae culpae socium quaero." ("I am reproaching myself far more than you, and if I do reproach you it is as my alter ego; also I am looking for someone to share the blame" - translation by D. R. Shackleton Bailey.)

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of alter ego was in 1537

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Alter ego.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alter%20ego. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

alter ego

noun

al·ter ego ˌȯl-tər-ˈē-gō

: a trusted friend or personal representative

: the opposite side of a personality

Legal Definition

alter ego

noun

al·ter ego ˈȯl-tər-ˈē-gō

: second self

especially : a person or entity vicariously liable for another (as an agent)

had the officer been the alter ego of the corporation —

J. J. White and R. S. Summers

compare instrumentality

Note: The concept of a legal alter ego is used primarily to hold the controlling parties of a corporation personally liable instead of limiting liability to the corporate entity.

Etymology

Latin, literally, second I

Last Updated: 27 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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alter ego

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of alter ego in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near alter ego

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition