John Doe

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈJohn ˈDoe, n. [countable]

1. an unnamed, but average person:
   Your regular John Doe doesn't want more taxes and less service.
2. Law a made-up or pretended name used in legal proceedings for a male person whose true name is not known:
   the defendant known as John Doe.

Compare Jane Doe.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

John′ Doe′, 

1. an anonymous, average man.
2. Law a fictitious name used in legal proceedings for a male party whose true name is not known. Cf. Jane Doe, Richard Roe.
3. Law of or for an unknown person;
   using the name John Doe to stand for an unknown person:
   The judge issued a John Doe warrant so the police could arrest the culprit when they identified him.
4. Law an unidentified man:
   The police were looking for a John Doe.

John Doe, +

1. a unidentified man:
   The police were looking for a John Doe.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

John Doe noun

1. See Doe

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Doe / dəʊ/ noun

1. (formerly) the plaintiff in a fictitious action, Doe versus Roe, to test a point of law
   See also Roe
2. John Doe, Jane Doe ⇒ an unknown or unidentified male or female person