John Doe
noun/ˌdʒɒn ˈdəʊ/
/ˌdʒɑːn ˈdəʊ/
[usually singular] (North American English)- a name used for a person whose name is not known or is kept secret, especially in a court of law
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- an average man compare Jane Doe
Word Originmid 18th cent.: originally in legal use as a name of a fictitious complainant, corresponding to Richard Roe, used to represent the defendant.
More Like This Expressions with people’s namesExpressions with people’s names
See John Doe in the Oxford Advanced American DictionaryCheck pronunciation:
John Doe