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soi-disant

so-called

adjective swah-dee-ZAHN Rare
Grammar & Structure Adverbs

Also means

self-styled

Usage Note

Soi-disant is invariable (never agrees in gender or number) and always precedes the noun. It signals ironic distance, implying the label is dubious: un soi-disant expert ('a so-called expert'). It should not be confused with prétendu, which is a declined adjective. In English, 'self-styled' is the closest equivalent.

Examples

"Ce soi-disant médecin n'avait aucun diplôme."

Natural Translation

This so-called doctor had no qualifications.

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