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Synonyms

per se

American  
[pur sey, see, per] / pɜr ˈseɪ, ˈsi, pər /

adverb

  1. by, of, for, or in itself; intrinsically.

    This candidate is not a pacifist per se, but he is in favor of peaceful solutions when practicable.

    Synonyms:
    fundamentally, indigenously, inherently, innately

per se British  
/ ˈpɜː ˈseɪ /

adverb

  1. by or in itself; intrinsically

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

He’s not unalterably opposed to deregulation, per se.

From Los Angeles Times

But before that, I was really upset, not with the numbers per se, but not being able to help.

From Los Angeles Times

And now he said he would say: "You're wrong, you don't know the human spirit, you don't know racing drivers per se, we are a very rare breed and very determined."

From BBC

What a relic, which wasn’t intended to manage a trade deficit per se.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said that the Commission was not against reward programmes per se, but that online platform algorithms were "often opaque".

From BBC