so

\ ˈsō

, especially before an adjective or adverb followed by "that" sə \

Definition of so

(Entry 1 of 7)

1a : 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 soI 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)

d : then, subsequently and so home and to bed

2a(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

b : to a great extent or degree : very, extremely loves her so

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

conjunction

Definition of so (Entry 2 of 7)

1a : 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

3a : for that reason : therefore don't want to go, so I won't

b(1) —used as an introductory particleso here we are often to belittle a point under discussionso what?

(2) —used interjectionally to indicate awareness of a discoveryso, that's who did it or surprised dissent

so as to

: in order to

adjective

Definition of so (Entry 3 of 7)

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 adjectivewas witty by adult standards and of course doubly so by mine— Sally Kempton

pronoun

Definition of so (Entry 4 of 7)

1 : 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 conjecturestayed a week or socost $15 or so

noun

\ ˈsō

less common variant of sol

: the fifth note of the major scale in solfège

abbreviation (1)

Definition of so (Entry 6 of 7)

south; southern

abbreviation (2)

Definition of SO (Entry 7 of 7)

1 seller's option

2 strikeout

Synonyms & Antonyms Can so be used as an intensive?: Usage Guide Using So as a Conjunction: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about so

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Can so be used as an intensive?: Usage Guide

Adverb

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 the cephalopod eye is an example of a remarkable evolutionary parallel because it is so like the eye of a vertebrate — Sarah F. Robbins the kind of sterile over-ingenuity which afflicts so many academic efforts — 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 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.

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: Adverb Residents of those states are not being barred from coming to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, so Wednesday's action is largely advisory. — NBC News, "New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to quarantine visitors from coronavirus hot spots," 24 June 2020 But if planning summer travel, remember that plans will have to change unexpectedly, so be flexible. — BostonGlobe.com, "Horoscope," 24 June 2020 Tonight, Bud Shaw will join us to discuss the latest details regarding the 2020 MLB season, as well as what makes the Odell Beckham/Jarvis Landry receiving tandem so important for the Browns. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Bud Shaw on baseball’s return and the Browns’ star receivers on Tuesday’s ‘More Sports & Les Levine’," 23 June 2020 Even so, there's been growth in the number of college students studying for STEM degrees, with gains for black, Hispanic and women students, according to the National Science Board. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "Trump says visa halt could open up 500,000 jobs for Americans. Really?," 23 June 2020 The moment was powerful, and so were all the people laying on the bridge. — oregonlive, "‘The world needs to see this.’ The story behind the iconic photo of the Burnside Bridge protest in Portland," 23 June 2020 The market for initial public offerings is surging again, but so is the appetite for its disruption. — Michal Lev-ram, Fortune, "NYSE’s chief commercial officer on direct listings and reopening the trading floor," 23 June 2020 Along with the number of positive NBA tests being important, so is who tests positive. — Tom Moore, USA TODAY, "Moore: This week could determine if the NBA can finish season in Orlando," 23 June 2020 All Alaska coastal communities are dealing with a major tourism blow this summer, and so are coastal towns in Canada, where cruise business was wiped off the boards due to federal regulations and border closures. — Fran Golden, Condé Nast Traveler, "Tourism-Reliant Cruise Ports Face a Tough Summer Ahead," 22 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The Oakland Police Department's own stingray was seemingly insufficient, so officers then called in the FBI, both times without a warrant. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "FBI didn’t need warrant for stingray in attempted murder case, DOJ says," 12 July 2017 But both also got weighed down by their stars, pulling in so-so receptions from audiences (and getting savaged by critics). — Angela Watercutter, WIRED, "Wonder Woman Proves Wonderful Superhero Movies Don’t Need Superstars," 2 June 2017 But inhaling powerful opioids can be deadly, so officers have a new tool to protect their four-legged partners: naloxone, a drug that has already been used for years to reverse overdoses in humans. — CBS News, "New drug kits save police dogs from opioid overdoses," 1 June 2017 But inhaling powerful opioids can be deadly, so officers have a new tool to protect their four-legged partners: naloxone, a drug that has already been used for years to reverse overdoses in humans. — Washington Post, "New drug kits save police dogs from opioid overdoses," 1 June 2017 But inhaling powerful opioids can be deadly, so officers have a new tool to protect their four-legged partners: naloxone, a drug that has already been used for years to reverse overdoses in humans. — Denise Lavoie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Officers carrying overdose drug for humans to protect K-9s," 1 June 2017 But inhaling powerful opioids can be deadly, so officers have a new tool to protect their four-legged partners: naloxone, a drug that has already been used for years to reverse overdoses in humans. — Denise Lavoie, The Seattle Times, "A tool to protect police dogs in drug raids from overdosing," 31 May 2017 No carnival the week of Independence Day meant Hutchins Park was free, so organizers sought approval from the city to move the Amish Outlaws from Washington Street to the park. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace plans concert with alcohol sales as part of Independence Day activities," 5 May 2017 It more than made up for a rare so-so night in the faceoff circle. — Eric Stephens, Orange County Register, "What you need to know: Improved defense, depth players let Ducks clip Red Wings," 5 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'so.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.