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placeholder name

placeholder name

6.0
A name used temporarily for a person or thing when the real name is unknown
  • noun
translation icon : nombre de marcador
  • For the training exercise, please fill in the placeholder name with any fictitious character you choose.

Examples

Synonyms

foo
vsplaceholder name
  • Jargon
22 9.9

A simple name used as an example in computer code

is a general temporary label used outside technical programming contexts
placeholder
vsplaceholder name
  • Specialized
6 4.0

A temporary word or object that takes the place of the real thing

is specifically used as a temporary label in examples or models

How Specific

placeholder name
6.0
placeholder
  • Specialized
6 4.0
blank
103 1.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

placeholder + name

The MWE's meaning is directly compositional: 'placeholder' (a temporary stand-in) modifies 'name' to mean a name used temporarily as a stand-in for an unspecified person or thing. This follows ordinary compounding patterns and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Placeholder name comes from the image of a placeholder that holds a spot until the real name is known. So a placeholder name is a simple 'stand-in' used in examples or forms, which is why it means a temporary or example name.