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.
Rhys: I don’t think it’s changed, per se.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
They didn’t eliminate it per se, but they turned it into a pro forma, symbolic chamber.
From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026
This is not an insurance policy, per se, it’s an optional agreement that waives your financial responsibility if the rental car is damaged or stolen.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
“To make a comparison between events isn’t per se disqualifying. On the contrary, it creates connections,” he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
The plant that poisoned him wasn’t toxic, per se; McCandless simply had the misfortune to eat moldy seeds.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
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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.