soi-disant

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌswɑːdiːˈzɒ̃/ UK /ˌswɑːdiːˈzɑ̃ː/ See IPA manual

Freq #495238

Meanings

1

adj
self-styled or self-proclaimed, often with the implication that the claim is doubtful or pretentious

The soi-disant expert could not answer a basic technical question.
2

adj
claimed to have a particular character or status but not genuinely possessing it

The memoir exposed the club's soi-disant sophistication as mere snobbery.
3

adv
rare: supposedly or according to one's own claim

He was soi-disant qualified to advise the committee.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · self-styled or... self-styledself-proclaimedso-called

2 adj · claimed to have a... allegedpurportedpretended

3 adv · rare: supposedly or... supposedly allegedly

Opposites

genuine recognized

Word family

Related forms self-appointedprofessed ostensible

Etymology

Borrowed from French soi-disant, literally 'saying oneself,' from soi, 'oneself,' + disant, the present participle of dire, 'to say.' English uses it chiefly with skeptical or mocking force for a status someone claims without convincing others.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

# soi-disant

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj, adv
**IPA (US):** /ˌswɑːdiːˈzɒ̃/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌswɑːdiːˈzɑ̃ː/
**Frequency rank:** 495238

## Meanings
1. self-styled or self-proclaimed, often with the implication that the claim is doubtful or pretentious
2. claimed to have a particular character or status but not genuinely possessing it
3. rare: supposedly or according to one's own claim

## Examples
- The soi-disant expert could not answer a basic technical question.
- The memoir exposed the club's soi-disant sophistication as mere snobbery.
- He was soi-disant qualified to advise the committee.

## Synonyms
- self-styled
- self-proclaimed
- so-called
- alleged
- purported
- pretended

## Antonyms
- genuine
- recognized

## Related Forms
- self-appointed
- professed
- ostensible

## Etymology
Borrowed from French soi-disant, literally 'saying oneself,' from soi, 'oneself,' + disant, the present participle of dire, 'to say.' English uses it chiefly with skeptical or mocking force for a status someone claims without convincing others.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- Register & Style

markdown