pseudonyme

pseudonym, pen name

noun psyoo-do-NEEM Rare

Origin: From Greek 'pseudonymos' (bearing a false name).

Usage Note

Pseudonyme is the formal word for a false name used by an author or public figure, equivalent to English 'pseudonym' or 'pen name'. Writers' pen names are specifically called noms de plume in a literary context, though pseudonyme covers all cases. The colloquial abbreviation is pseudo, which dominates in everyday and digital usage.

Examples

"L'auteur écrit sous un pseudonyme."

Natural Translation

The author writes under a pseudonym.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

En, Au, Aux: French Prepositions for Countries

Use en for feminine countries, au for masculine, aux for plural, and à for cities. Full French preposition rule for countries, with a lookup table and traps.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read