so-called

[soh-kawld]

adjective

1. called or designated thus.

   the so-called Southern bloc.

2. incorrectly called or styled thus.

   so-called intellectuals.

so-called

adjective

1. 1. (prenominal) designated or styled by the name or word mentioned, esp (in the speaker's opinion) incorrectly

      a so-called genius

   2. ( also used parenthetically after a noun )

      these experts, so-called, are no help

Word History and Origins

Origin of so-called¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

And this came just a day after Kyiv's allies, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, had pledged a post-war "reassurance force" for Ukraine.

From BBC

Without Andy, a so-called “synthetic person,” we get the sense that Rain wouldn’t experience much humane treatment at all.

From Salon

With Rachel Reeves remaining as Chancellor, this is the first time the UK has had three women in the so-called "great offices of state" alongside the prime minister.

From BBC

Our reporter, posing as a schoolgirl, bought four bottles through a dealer on the social media site that later tested positive for the so-called zombie drug.

From BBC

Those who voted Leave in 2016 have distinctive views on a range of so-called cultural issues.

From BBC

Related Words

• alleged 
• formal 
• purported 
• self-styled