per say
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of per say
First recorded in 1970–75
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.
I’m not sure if I’d felt the tingles, per say, but I was relaxed for the rest of the day.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026
It wasn't perfect, but I don't think it was a bad reaction per say.
From BBC • Mar. 3, 2025
It wasn’t bad per say, but if the bar had stronger notes of pistachio, it would have paired better with the milk chocolate, which I found to be too sweet and overpowering in flavor.
From Salon • Oct. 1, 2024
More than likely there will be coaches that may get poached after the season…but is there a coach that might be on the "hot seat" per say.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2023
Not traditional retribution per say, but pandemic-style travel vengeance.
From Washington Post • Aug. 25, 2022
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.
