so-and-so

1 of 2

noun

ˈsō-ən-ˌsō How to pronounce so-and-so (audio)
plural so-and-sos or so-and-so's ˈsō-ən-ˌsōz How to pronounce so-and-so (audio)
Synonyms of so-and-sonext
1
: an unnamed or unspecified person, thing, or action
2
: bastard sense 3

so-and-so

2 of 2

adverb

1
: to an unspecified amount or degree
2
: in an unspecified manner or fashion

Synonyms of so-and-so

Relevance

Noun

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Examples of so-and-so in a Sentence

Noun I'm never talking to that nasty so-and-so again after what he said to me last time!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
High pressure something, low pressure so-and-so, this or that. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Congratulations to the honorable so-and-so. — Rafael Perez, Daily News, 25 May 2026 Did so-and-so do enough to make the NCAA Tournament? — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026 In the past, so-and-so won the Daytona 500, and they're locked in the Playoffs. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for so-and-so

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of so-and-so was in the 13th century

Rhymes for so-and-so

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Browse Nearby Words

Soan
so-and-so
soap
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“So-and-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/so-and-so. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

so-and-so

noun
ˈsō-ən-ˌsō
plural so-and-sos or so-and-so's
-ən-ˌsōz
: an unnamed or unspecified person or thing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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