From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishself-styledˈself-styled adjective [only before noun] THINK/HAVE THE OPINION THAThaving given yourself a title or position without having a right to it – used to show disapproval a self-styled poet
Examples from the Corpus
self-styled• The self-styled Brahmin of the Banal kept my fear-levels up to scratch by manifesting himself unexpectedly.• Len Shackleton Len Shackleton, the self-styled clown prince of football, has died aged 78.• These self-styled complementary therapists make a fortune out of preying on the gullibility of often very sick people.• The self-styled Leader of the New Republic refused all attempts at negotiation by the former government.• How could a self-styled poet be so oblivious to taste?• a self-styled religious leader 