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

And yet, in a unique twist on a familiar story, the 11 songs of “Take a Picture” became a shared secret around the world; pirate pressings overseas earned her the sobriquet “The Soft Pop Queen of Japan.”

From New York Times

The composition of Mr. Attal’s government, with eight of the 15 ministries held by politicians who came from the center-right party Les Républicains, was already a clear indication that Mr. Macron was done with the ambiguity that earned him the sobriquet of the “at-the-same-time” president.

From New York Times

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

Though some Chinese diplomats have earned the sobriquet “wolf warriors” for their vocal advocacy of Beijing’s interests, Mr. Xing is a peninsula expert who has studied in North Korea, speaks fluent Korean, and is currently serving his third term as a diplomat in the Chinese embassy in Seoul.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• appellation
• moniker