sobriquet

[ soh-bruh-key, -ket, soh-bruh-key, -ket; French saw-bree-ke ]

noun

, plural so·bri·quets [soh, -br, uh, -keyz, -kets, soh-br, uh, -, keyz, -, kets, saw-b, r, ee-, ke].

1. a nickname.

sobriquet

/ ˈsəʊbrɪˌkeɪ /

noun

1. a humorous epithet, assumed name, or nickname

Other Words From

• sobri·queti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sobriquet¹

First recorded in 1640–50; origin uncertain; from French Middle French soubriquet “nickname, surname,” formerly also “a jest,” from Old French soubriquet, soubzbriquet “a gentle tap under the chin, a chuck under the chin”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sobriquet¹

C17: from French soubriquet, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

However it's defined, though, the idea of distinct sleeping arrangements, also known by the doom-laden sobriquet "sleep divorce," sounds like a marital death knell.

From Salon

The up-and-coming caterer earned the sobriquet "Putin's chef".

From BBC

Bouldin runs a youth chess club and for decades has worked with young people, both on and off duty — and sometimes with snacks — earning her the sobriquet “Detective Cookie.”

From Seattle Times

He studied stinging insects professionally for more than 40 years and wrote hundreds of peer-reviewed papers, earning the sobriquet “king of sting.”

From New York Times

The catchphrase also echoed the sobriquet for the railway’s indefatigable founder, who helped turn Seattle into a metropolis — yet whose name is little seen or celebrated today.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• appellation
• moniker