so-called
Americanadjective
-
called or designated thus.
the so-called Southern bloc.
-
incorrectly called or styled thus.
so-called intellectuals.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of so-called
First recorded in 1650–60
Explanation
When you say someone is a so-called pacifist, you are suggesting that they are a pacifist in name only. While they are busy making everyone talk about how peaceful they are, chances are they're also bombing villages to dust. Using the word so-called is a great way to point out systemic hypocrisy and is a much-beloved tool of street preachers and conspiracy cranks the world over. They might talk about our so-called democracy being in fact a sham, and our so-called democratic elections being rigged by forces beyond our control.
Vocabulary lists containing so-called
Booked
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Losers Club
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
We Are Displaced
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Ghanaian authorities have arrested seven people for allegedly using banknotes to make so-called "money bouquets" and decorate cakes.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
The uncapped credit would cover labor expenses for production crews as well as so-called above-the-line costs, such as salaries for actors and writers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
In fact, the so-called Roberts Court, named by tradition after the chief justice, is a misnomer.
From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2026
A 150-day statute of limitations would apply to challenging so-called biological opinions, which review project impact on species and habitats.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
In 1963 a mathematician, Paul Cohen, proved that this puzzle, the so-called continuum hypothesis, was neither provable nor disprovable, thanks to Gödel’s incompleteness theorem.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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.
