Meaning & use
anon
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Meanings
adverbliteraryold-fashioned
Before long; at some time in the near future, used in older or poetic writing.
Grammar: An adverb; it usually comes at the end of a clause or before the verb, and is not used in everyday conversation.
The travelers set off at dawn and were anon swallowed by the mist.
I will tell you the rest of the story anon, when we have more time.
The old song says, 'I'll be with you anon.'
abbreviationinformal
A short way of writing 'anonymous', used to show that a writer or contributor's name is not given.
Grammar: Often written with a period in American English (anon.) but without in British English; it is not pronounced as a word.
Patterns
- posted by anon
- anon. source
The comment was posted by anon, so no one knew who wrote it.
The article was credited to anon., meaning the author chose to remain unnamed.
On some forums, users can post as anon to protect their identity.
Common combinations
- ever and anon
- The old clock chimed ever and anon throughout the night.
- anon. (abbreviation)
- The letter was signed 'anon.' to keep the sender's name secret.
- posted by anon
- The message was posted by anon, so it was impossible to reply directly.
- see you anon
- In old novels, characters often say 'see you anon' when they part.
Synonyms and how they differ
- soon
- Much more common in modern English and used in everyday speech; 'anon' sounds old-fashioned or poetic.
- presently
- Can mean 'soon' but is also slightly formal and can mean 'now'; 'anon' is clearly about the future.
- shortly
- Neutral and common in both speech and writing; 'anon' would sound out of place in a casual text message.
Opposites
Commonly confused: anon or anonymous?
anon vs anonymous
This is the full adjective meaning 'with no name given'; 'anon' is either an old adverb meaning 'soon' or an informal abbreviation of 'anonymous'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'anon' correctly in its old-fashioned adverbial sense?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 uses 'anon' as an adverb meaning 'soon', which fits the old-fashioned sense. Option 1 uses 'anon' as an adjective, but the adjective is 'anonymous'. Option 2 uses it as a noun, which is wrong. Option 3 uses it as a verb, which does not exist.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “anon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.