Definitions

per se

[pur sey, see, per] / pɜr ˈseɪ, ˈsi, pər /

ADVERB

essentially

Synonyms

WEAK

alone as such by and of itself by definition by its very nature by itself fundamentally in essence in itself independently intrinsically of itself singularly solely virtually

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 drove over to downtown Los Angeles’ Garment District, a neighborhood that wasn’t unsafe per se, but one I’d never visit if I didn’t have to.

From Salon

“One problem is that Syrians themselves don’t see small anti-Israel groups as a threat to them, per se,” said Joel Parker, also a Syria researcher at Tel Aviv University.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is not a group per se, he says, but rather "a system of widespread corruption".

From BBC

“There’s nothing evil about the tech industry or consulting, per se.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The popular Mexican food chain’s results, released late Wednesday, weren’t bad per se: Earnings and revenue matched Wall Street’s forecasts.

From Barron's