so-called

adjective

ˈsō-ˈkȯld 

1

: commonly named

the so-called pocket veto

2

: falsely or improperly so named

deceived by a so-called friend

Examples of so-called in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Leigh Bowery arrived from Sunshine, Australia, soon conquered the Cha Cha Club and the Camden Palace, and in 1985 opened Taboo—so-called because nothing that happened there was. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2024

Next year, 13 Hollywood movies slated for release will be shot on Imax digital cameras or film, beating a previous record logged in 2021 when seven so-called filmed for Imax movies came out. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024

Among the tactics that are off limits: AI cannot be used to mislead voters, spread disinformation and so-called deepfakes, or deliberately manipulate images. —Courtney Subramanian, Fortune, 6 May 2024

Bridget Ziegler was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the board overseeing the special district encompassing Walt Disney World, which DeSantis created in retaliation for Walt Disney Co.’s criticism of his so-called Don’t Say Gay law suppressing discussion of gender issues in public schools. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023

There’s stuff in that letter that wasn’t even invented when it was so-called written. CAROLINA: Look. —Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023

According to Rebecca Gorman, co-founder and CEO of Aligned , the company’s so-called Algorithm for Concept Extraction, or ACE, is much better at avoiding making such spurious connections. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2023

Read full article The Conservatives will face an early test of their political fortunes Thursday with three so-called by-elections — special elections to fill seats in Parliament vacated by Tory lawmakers. —Mark Landler, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2023

Florida 'Don't Say Gay' law:GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law to Florida high schools School district officials face public backlash Barbee's case has made national headlines causing school district officials to be targeted by lawmakers and the public. —USA TODAY, 31 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for so-called

• overhauled
• reinstalled
• appalled
• enthralled
• forestalled
• grunwald
• installed
• piebald
• recalled
• uncalled
• auld
• bald

Kids Definition

so-called

adjective

ˈsō-ˈkȯld

: commonly or popularly but often inaccurately so named

your so-called friend