What does “Jane Doe” mean?
"Jane Doe" means a woman who is a part of legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The witness identified herself as Jane Doe during the trial.
Example
The court documents referred to the victim as Jane Doe to protect her identity.
Example
The police are searching for a suspect known only as Jane Doe
Is “Jane Doe” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Jane Doe” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Jane Doe” effectively in context?
You can use "Jane Doe" to refer to an unidentified woman involved in legal proceedings, particularly when her true name is unknown or withheld for privacy or safety reasons. For example, if you are discussing a court case where the victim's identity is being protected, you might say, 'The court documents referred to the victim as "Jane Doe" to protect her identity.'
- 1Legal Proceedings
The witness identified herself as Jane Doe during the trial.
- 2Privacy Protection
The court documents referred to the victim as Jane Doe to protect her identity.
- 3Law Enforcement
The police are searching for a suspect known only as Jane Doe.
Similar phrases to “Jane Doe”:
John Doe
A man a part of legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld
Example
The unidentified suspect is referred to as John Doe in the police report.
A woman whose true identity is unknown or undisclosed
Example
The authorities are seeking information about an unidentified woman seen near the crime scene.
A fictitious name used by an individual to conceal their true identity
Example
The author published the book under a pseudonym to maintain anonymity.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Jane Doe” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Jane Doe" is uncertain. It is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century as a way to refer to an unidentified female individual in legal proceedings.
Is “Jane Doe” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Jane Doe" is commonly used in legal and law enforcement contexts. It is frequently used to refer to unidentified women involved in legal proceedings, such as victims, witnesses, or suspects.
What tone does “Jane Doe” have?
"Jane Doe" conveys a neutral tone. It is a formal expression used primarily in legal and official settings to maintain anonymity and protect the privacy of individuals involved in legal proceedings.
Can “Jane Doe” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Jane Doe" is a formal expression used primarily in legal and official settings. It is commonly used in courtrooms, legal documents, police reports, and other formal contexts where anonymity and privacy need to be maintained.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase "Jane Doe" is typically used as part of a sentence to refer to an unidentified woman. However, in some cases, it can be used alone to represent an anonymous female individual, such as in headlines or brief descriptions.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- unknown woman
- anonymous female
- mystery woman
- unidentified female
Antonyms
- named woman
- identified female
- known person
