so

1 adverb 1

a) so big/tall etc (+adj/adv) used to describe how big, tall etc something is, especially when it is very big or very tall: Why does life have to be so complicated? | It was so embarrassing - everyone was standing there looking at us! | I've never seen so many people attend this church before. | so tall a man/so high a mountain etc formal: I've never seen so beautiful a baby before.

b) worry/talk etc so formal to worry, talk etc a great deal: I wish he wouldn't fuss so - it makes me feel nervous.

2 so tall/big etc (that) used when you mean that because someone or something is very tall, big etc, something happens or someone does something: He was so fat he couldn't get through the door. | You couldn't hear yourself think, the music was so loud. | so tall etc as to be sth: The statement was so ambiguous as to be totally meaningless.

3 used to talk about an idea, suggestion, situation etc that has been mentioned before: “Will I need my umbrella?” “I don't think so.” | He seemed to be very understanding, more so than I expected.

4 so would John/so do I/so is he etc used to add a positive statement to one that has just been mentioned: If you're going to take the day off then so will I. | Frank adores dogs and so does his wife.

5 not so tall/big etc as.. not as tall, big etc as something else: You know, Harry's not so clever as I first thought.

—see also: as/so far as far 1 (3), as/so long as long 2 (6), —see as 2

6 so as to do sth in order to do something: Credit has been arranged so as to spread the payments over a month period. | So as not to cause offence many of the mourners stood at the back of the church.

7 so many/much

a) a particular amount, number, level, degree etc: There's only so much you can do with hair this fine.

b) used to say that something is the same as something else that is worse: Teenage magazines are just so much wasted paper.

8 (just) as...so... used to compare two people or things, when they are the same: Just as the French love their wine, so the English love their beer.

9 used when you are being polite to mean `very': I'm so pleased to meet you at last. | ever so BrE: The children are ever so excited. It's the first time they've been to Disneyland.

10 formal therefore: The passport was found to have passed its expiry date and so to be void.

—see thus, —see also: and so on/forth and, even so even 1 (4), so far far 1 (24), so far as possible far 1 (2), so much for much 2 (12), just so just 1 (29)

11 so

a) used to get someone's attention, especially in order to ask them a question: So, how long do you think you'll be staying in England?

b) used to check that you have understood something: So let me get this straight. You two aren't actually married then?

c) used to show that you do not think something is important: So, I lied. They can't put me in prison for that!

d) used to show that you have found something out about someone: So! You've got a new girlfriend, huh?

e) used with a movement of your hand to show how big, high etc something or someone is: Oh, he must be about so tall.

f) also like so used when you are showing someone how to do something using your hands, feet etc: Fold the material, so, and push the needle through.

g) used when asking a question about what has just been said: “I've decided to leave.” “So what are you going to do?”

12 so she is/so they are etc used to agree with something that has just been mentioned and that you had not noticed or had forgotten: “Don't forget your brother is coming round for dinner.” “So he is. I'd better get some food in.”

13 so what? used to show that you do not think that something that has been mentioned is important: Yeah, I do smoke. So what?

14 so long! AmE used to say goodbye

15 so be it used to show that you do not agree with someone's decision but you will accept it anyway: If you're sure you want to sell your car, then so be it!

16 I do so/it is so etc AmE used especially by children to say that something is true, can be done etc when someone else says that it is not, can not etc: “You can't swim.” “I can so.”

17 so I see used to say that you know that what someone is telling you is true because you can see that it is: “I broke my leg.” “So I see. How did it happen?”

18 so much the better used to say that if something happens it will make the situation even better than it already is: Katie's coming with us and if you join in too, so much the better.

19 so help me used to say that you are determined to do something bad to someone, even though you know it is wrong: One more word and so help me I'll kill you!

2 conjunction

1 used to give the reason why something happens, why someone does something etc: I heard a noise so I got out of bed and turned the light on. | There was no food in the house so we rang out for a pizza.

2 so (that)

a) in order to make something happen, something possible etc: So that everyone can see, will the taller children stand at the back. | The vase had been put on top of the cupboard so it wouldn't get broken.

b) used to say that something happens as a result of something else: Many contestants later failed drug tests, so that the race had to be rerun.

3 adjective (not before noun)

1 be so especially spoken to be true or correct: The newspapers claim she killed him in self defence but that just isn't so. | “Bill says that you appeared in court last week” “Is that so? Well let me tell you one or two things about Bill.”

2 more so/less so/too much so phrases in which `so' is used instead of repeating an adjective that you have mentioned before: Bill is very popular and Ted is even more so. | Jerry is very honest, maybe too much so.

3 be just/exactly so to be arranged tidily, with everything in the right place: With Tim, if everything isn't just so he can't relax.

—see also: so­so 4 noun (singular) the fifth note in a musical scale 1 (8) according to the sol­fa system