so-called
ˌsəʊˈkɔːld
Definition Synonyms

Definition of so-called - Reverso English Dictionary

Related topics:

Adjective

1.
ironic namingincorrectly or undeservedly referred to by a name
  • The so-called genius failed the simple test.
alleged supposed
2.
neutral namingcommonly referred to by a specific name
  • The so-called experts were invited to the conference.
alleged purported reputed
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with so-called

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
someone claimed to be an expert but isn't
The so-called expert gave wrong advice.
person who pretends to be a friend
He turned out to be a so-called friend, betraying me when I needed him.

Origin of so-called

English, so (thus) + called (named)

Terms with so-called included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
irony critique
so-called improvement that is actually silly, harmful, or fake
identity community
young male who is homosexual or called so in LGBTQ+ circles

Examples of so-called in a sentence

  • His so-called friends abandoned him.
  • The so-called solution didn't work as expected.
  • They questioned the so-called benefits of the new policy.

View all translations of so-called

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:prétendu, ...
  2. German:sogenannt, ...
  3. Italian:cosiddetto, ...
  4. Spanish:supuesto, llamado, ...
  5. Portuguese:suposto, chamado, ...
  6. Chinese:所谓的, 被称为的, ...
  7. Japanese:いわゆる, 所謂, ...
  8. Arabic:مَزْعُوم, ما يُسَمَّى, ...
  9. Hebrew:כִּבְיָכוֹל, מְכוּנֶה, ...
  10. Russian:так называемый, известный как, ...
  11. Ukrainian:так званий, названий, ...
  12. Hindi:तथाकथित, तथानाम, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “s”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery