What does anonymised mean?
Anonymised means made anonymous, usually by removing names or other details that could identify a person, organisation, or source. It is especially common in academic research, journalism, publishing, and data protection, where information can be useful without revealing who supplied it. “Anonymised data” may still contain non-identifying personal details, so the word does not necessarily mean that every trace of the original source has been erased. As a verb, “anonymised” describes the act of concealing identities: researchers anonymise survey responses, journalists anonymise sources, and institutions anonymise public records. The British spelling is commonly written with “-ise”, while American English usually uses “-ized”. The word is closely related to “anonymous” and “anonymity”, but it usually places emphasis on a deliberate process of removing or concealing identifying information rather than simply describing something as unnamed.
Describing information, people, or material that has had identifying details removed or concealed so that the original source cannot easily be recognized.
"The organisation published only anonymised feedback from participants."
Common in formal and institutional contexts, particularly concerning research, privacy, and publication.
To remove or conceal identifying information from a person, record, account, or other material.
"The editor anonymised the names of everyone quoted in the report."
In American English, this verb is usually spelled “anonymized”.
Anonymised is the quiet workhorse of research ethics: it lets valuable information circulate without exposing the people behind it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does anonymised come from?
The form “anonymised” derives from the English verb “anonymise” or “anonymize”, formed from “anonymous” plus the suffix “-ise” or “-ize”. “Anonymous” comes ultimately from Greek anōnymos, meaning “without a name”, from an- meaning “without” and onyma meaning “name”. The English spelling follows the usual British and American conventions for verbs ending in “-ise” and “-ize”.
Related word forms
How anonymised is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in research, journalism, data protection, and publishing. British English generally uses “anonymised” and “anonymisation”, while American English generally uses “anonymized” and “anonymization”.
Easily confused with anonymised
“Anonymised” is the usual British English spelling, whereas “anonymized” is the usual American English spelling; both have the same meaning.
“Anonymous” describes something that is unnamed or unconnected with a known person, while “anonymised” usually describes a process or result in which identifying details have deliberately been removed.