Per Say Definition & Meaning

Definition

Etymology

Examples

per say American

adverb

1. a frequent misspelling of per se.

Etymology

Origin of per say

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I’m not sure if I’d felt the tingles, per say, but I was relaxed for the rest of the day.

From Los Angeles Times

It wasn't perfect, but I don't think it was a bad reaction per say.

From BBC

It wasn’t bad per say, but if the bar had stronger notes of pistachio, it would have paired better with the milk chocolate, which I found to be too sweet and overpowering in flavor.

From Salon

“At this point there’s very little about Lee Harvey Oswald per say.”

From Seattle Times

More than likely there will be coaches that may get poached after the season…but is there a coach that might be on the "hot seat" per say.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.