1
a
: in a manner or way indicated or suggested
do you really think so
—often used as a substitute for a preceding clauseare you ready? I think so
I didn't like it and I told her so
b
: in the same manner or way : also
worked hard and so did she
c
: thus sense 1
for so the Lord said—
Isaiah 18:4 (King James Version)
Isaiah 18:4 (King James Version)
d
: then, subsequently
and so home and to bed
2
a(1)
: to an indicated or suggested extent or degree
had never been so happy
—used chiefly in negative constructions with a following correlative element introduced by asthought that his share wasn't so big as his brother's
(2)
: to the same extent or degree : to such a degree : as sense 1
c
: to a definite but unspecified extent or degree
can only do so much in a day
d
: most certainly : indeed
you did so do it
e
informal
: most decidedly : surely
I so don't believe you
3
: therefore, consequently
the witness is biased and so unreliable
Can so be used as an intensive?: Usage Guide
The intensive use of so (sense 2b) is widely condemned in college handbooks but is nonetheless standard.
why is American television so shallow?
—Anthony Lewis
Anthony Lewis
the cephalopod eye is an example of a remarkable evolutionary parallel because it is so like the eye of a vertebrate
—Sarah F. Robbins
Sarah F. Robbins
the kind of sterile over-ingenuity which afflicts so many academic efforts
—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
There is no stigma attached to its use in negative contexts and when qualified by a dependent clause.
not so long ago
was so good in mathematics that he began to consider engineering
—Current Biography
Current Biography
The denotation in these uses is, of course, slightly different (see sense 2a). Another emphatic use of so (sense 2e) has developed more recently and occurs mostly in informal contexts.
1
a
: with the result that
the acoustics are good, so every note is clear
b
: in order that
be quiet so he can sleep
2
archaic
: provided that
3
a
: for that reason : therefore
don't want to go, so I won't
b(1)
—used as an introductory particle
so here we are
often to belittle a point under discussionso what?
(2)
—used interjectionally to indicate awareness of a discovery
so, that's who did it
or surprised dissent
Using So as a Conjunction: Usage Guide
Although occasionally condemned, use of so to introduce clauses of result (sense 1a) and purpose (sense 1b) is standard. In sense 1b so that is more common in formal contexts than so alone.
1
: conforming with actual facts : true
said things that were not so
2
: marked by a desired order
his books are always just so
3
—used to replace a preceding adjective
was witty by adult standards and of course doubly so by mine—Sally Kempton
Sally Kempton1
: such as has been specified or suggested : the same
if you have to file a claim, do so as soon as possible
2
—used in the phrase or so to indicate an estimate, approximation, or conjecture
stayed a week or so
cost $15 or so
south; southern
1
seller's option
2
strikeout
Synonyms
Examples of so in a Sentence
Adverb
I don't think they can score twice in so short a time.
There has always been an interest in genetic cloning, but never more so than in recent years.
He looked so handsome in his suit.
We are all so excited about the trip.
I'm so happy that you decided to join us for dinner.
I feel so much better after taking that nap.
Thank you so much for your help.
He dislikes her so much that he won't even talk to her.
The test was not so very hard after all.
“He is about so tall,” she said, raising her hand about six feet in the air.
Conjunction
We were bored with the movie, so we left.
I don't want to go, so I won't.
There are no more chairs available, so you'll have to stand.
Adjective
You are saying things that are just not so.
I heard you met the president—is that so?
Recent Examples on the Web
Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Keep in mind traffic and road closures may change based on real-time conditions so consider using a traffic app.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2023
But privacy in the court system is kind of an important details to be on top of so way to go at them and getting it and give credit to the court for moving quickly to fix it.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2022
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Modern synthetic oil is safe to use in all types of vehicles, ranging from new purchases to classics to aging not-so-classics.
—Annie White, Car and Driver, 3 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for so 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Storms have become so frequent that some insurers just assume a roof with standard shingles has sustained damage.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Keep in mind traffic and road closures may change based on real-time conditions so consider using a traffic app.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Policies of pursuing lasting peace, all the more so policies in the spirit of the two-state solution, must rest on the practical assumption that the dangers to Israel and its citizens, as nurtured and practiced by terrorist organizations, have been permanently eliminated.
—Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2023
But privacy in the court system is kind of an important details to be on top of so way to go at them and getting it and give credit to the court for moving quickly to fix it.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2022
Noun
The movie, directed by Paul King, who also wrote the story (and co-wrote the script with Simon Farnaby), depends entirely on a just-so imagination.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Modern synthetic oil is safe to use in all types of vehicles, ranging from new purchases to classics to aging not-so-classics.
—Annie White, Car and Driver, 3 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for so
Dictionary Entries Near so
Cite this Entry
“So.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/so. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
so
1 of 5 adverb
(ˈ)sō 
especially before adj or adv followed by ",
that " sə
1
a
: in a manner or way that is indicated or suggested
do you really think so
it so happened that all were wrong
—often used as a substitute for a preceding clauseI didn't like it and told her so
b
: in the same manner or way : also
worked hard and so did we
c
: then entry 1 sense 2
and so home and to bed
2
3
: for a reason that has just been stated : therefore
is honest and so returned the wallet
so
2 of 5 conjunction(ˈ)sō
1
a
: with the result that
the way you speak is good, so every word is clear
b
: in order that
be quiet so that I can sleep
2
archaic
: provided that
3
: for that reason
don't want to go, so I won't
4
a
—used to introduce a statement or question
so here we are
often to belittle a point under discussionso what?
b
—used interjectionally to indicate awareness of a discovery
so, that's who did it
so
3 of 5 adjectiveˈsō
1
: agreeing with actual facts : true
said things that were not so
2
: marked by a definite order
my books are always just so
so
4 of 5 pronounˌsō,
ˈsō
1
: such as has been specified : the same
if you have to sign up for the trip, do so as soon as possible
2
: approximately that
20 years or so
so
5 of 5 nounˈsō
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