This synonym of nickname has the same meaning in modern French as it does in English. In Middle French, however, its earlier incarnation soubriquet referred to both a nickname and a tap under the chin. Centuries later, the connection between these two meanings isn't clear, but what is clear is that the "nickname" meaning of sobriquet was well established in French by the time English speakers borrowed the term in the 17th century—and was the only meaning that was adopted. In current English, the spelling sobriquet is most common, but soubriquet is also an accepted variant.
Examples of sobriquet in a SentenceBaseball player Ty Cobb was also known by the sobriquet “The Georgia Peach.” tagged her with the sobriquet “peanut” because of her diminutive size
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. And all of that mimicked the gloriously madcap fox hunt, minus hounds and the fox and made the horse the focus — hence the sobriquet for the sport, National Hunt racing. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Theoretically, September would bring four new iPhones as usual but they would be called iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (or some other sobriquet suggesting thinness), iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Ultra. —David Phelan, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Quiz: from 1964 to the present, which major Republican candidate for president was NOT charged with this sobriquet? —Walter E Block, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2025 The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington’s Most Famous Hostess by Meryl Gordon Perle Mesta acquired many sobriquets during her long life. —Robin Olson, airmail.news, 4 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sobriquet Word HistoryFirst Known Use
1646, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of sobriquet was in 1646 Cite this Entry“Sobriquet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sobriquet. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 18 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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