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

The company has a special focus on so-called defined-outcome funds, or buffer funds, which use options contracts to offer investors protection from market downturns while retaining access to some of the gains.

From The Wall Street Journal

For an investor such as an insurance company, with long-term obligations, that helps with the so-called duration of their portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ‘60s and ‘70s saw a roster of major artists, too long to list here, overtake prominent art scenes in San Francisco and then Chicago, America’s so-called “second city” for art.

From Los Angeles Times

She expressed a desire for more wriggle room in the spreadsheets against her self-imposed fiscal rules – so-called "headroom".

From BBC

The end of so-called quantitative tightening will leave more liquidity in the banking system and financial markets.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alleged
• formal
• purported
• self-styled