Meaning & use
alter egos
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“alter egos” is a form of “alter ego”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
Plural of alter ego: second selves or distinct personalities that a person has or shows in another role.
Grammar: Plural countable: actors often have stage alter egos.
Patterns
- alter egos of someone
Many pop stars create stage alter egos to separate their public and private lives.
In the story, the twins are alter egos of the same character.
Online avatars can become alter egos for shy people.
nouncountablefigurative
Close friends or trusted representatives who seem to share your personality or act on your behalf.
Grammar: Used for very close pairs: they were alter egos.
The two detectives became alter egos, always thinking alike.
The senator's aides act as her alter egos in meetings.
Common combinations
- create alter egos
- Authors often create alter egos for their characters.
- secret alter egos
- Superheroes have secret alter egos.
- stage alter egos
- Her stage alter egos are bold and loud.
- assume alter egos
- Spies assume alter egos to hide their identities.
- online alter egos
- Gamers explore online alter egos.
Synonyms and how they differ
- doubles
- Doubles often means people who look alike rather than share a personality.
- personas
- Personas are the public images a person shows, not necessarily a deeper second self.
- other selves
- This is plainer and more literal.
- counterparts
- Counterparts are equivalents in another position, not personal selves.
Word family
Commonly confused: alter egos or altar egos?
alter egos vs altar egos
Altar is a table in a church; the correct word is alter, from Latin for other.
Practice
Superheroes like Batman and Superman have ordinary ___ that hide their true identities.
Choose one answer.
Alter egos is the correct plural. Altar is a different word, and egoes is not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “alter egos”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.