so-called

American  

[soh-kawld] / ˈsoʊˈkɔld /

adjective

1. called or designated thus.

   the so-called Southern bloc.

2. incorrectly called or styled thus.

   so-called intellectuals.

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so-called British  

adjective

1. 1. (prenominal) designated or styled by the name or word mentioned, esp (in the speaker's opinion) incorrectly

      a so-called genius

   2. ( also used parenthetically after a noun )

      these experts, so-called, are no help

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Etymology

Origin of so-called

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Some crew at European airlines have triggered so-called “fear clauses,” which gives crew the option not to fly if they aren’t comfortable, union officials and airline staff said.

From The Wall Street Journal

But shock defeats and inconsistency means the form of the so-called top sides is falling off a cliff.

From BBC

The so-called "fog of war" doesn't just cloud the thinking of military planners, it also affects the perception of politicians and the public.

From BBC

All year long, he has largely left his so-called “freshman class”—made up of three international players and one from the U.S.—on the bench.

From The Wall Street Journal

The offshore gas field that lies on both sides of the maritime boundary between Qatar and Iran is the world’s largest reserve of so-called nonassociated gas.

From Salon

Related Words

• alleged
• formal
• purported
• self-styled