per se
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of per se
First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin per sē “by itself,” translation of Greek kath’ autó
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"If you went to Sardis in 1950 there were a few things kind of sticking up above ground, but there was nothing really to see, per se," Anderson said.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026
I think we need to do much more to support work per se, not the number of children that you have.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
The concept of loading up on protein isn’t new per se — it first took off in the late twentieth century when diet and fitness cultures had both gone mainstream.
From Salon ● May 7, 2026
De Zylva argues this misunderstands the point: "The purpose of the green belt isn't to be green per se, it is to be a buffer to prevent sprawl."
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026
It was good there: no gangs, a movie every day, four-man rooms with the doors unlocked during the day, no COs per se.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.