as

A1S1
Australia, Canada, UK, US/əz/Australia, Canada, UK, US/æz/Australia, Canada, UK, US[æz]British, Northern England, Southern, Standard[az]

adverb

To such an extent or degree; to the same extent or degree.

“Do as I say!”

Very commonFirst used to 19th centuryScrabble 2

Meanings

as1

adverbas (not comparable)
  1. not comparableTo such an extent or degree; to the same extent or degree.

    She regards her kids as (being) holy as saints.

    5 more examples

    You’re not as tall as I am, but you are definitely as happy as can be.

    It's not as well made, but it's twice as expensive.

    In 1939, as in 1914, all of Europe seemed to want war.

    “My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly. Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan. “Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.”

    1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter IV, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC

    She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive.

    1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC
  2. not comparableConsidered to be, in relation to something else; in the relation (specified).
  3. datedformalnot comparableFor example; for instance. (Compare such as.)

    First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America.

    1913, “Aboriginal”, in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
    2 more examples

    Likewise many other indulgences were by virtue hereof granted; as, to have a portatile altar, to receive the Sacrament privately; […]

    1820, John Strype, The Life of the Learned Sir Thomas Smith, page 48

    The floor of the chamber was tesselated, of marble and green tourmaline, and on every square of tourmaline was carven the image of a fish: as the dolphin, the conger, the cat-fish, the salmon, the tunny, the squid, and other wonders of the deep.

    1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 3
conjunction

alternative -'s

  1. In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that.

    Do as I say!

    5 more examples

    I'm under a lot of pressure, as you know.

    As you wish, my lord!

    Mom was slim, as were most of her relatives.

    The kidnappers released him as (was) agreed.

    A nearby to-infinitive may be a factor for choosing 'in order to', as will emphasis.

    1. Used after so or as to introduce a comparison.

      It's not so complicated as I expected.

      2 more examples

      She's twice as strong as I was two years ago.

      It’s as easy to do it right as it is to do it wrong.

    2. Used to introduce a result: with the result that it is; as to.

      Under most circumstances, it will be possible to draw a distinction sufficiently clear as to allow an unambiguous allocation to one or other category.

      2011, Herwig C. H. Hofmann, Gerard C. Rowe, Alexander H. Türk, Administrative Law and Policy of the European Union, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 507
      2 more examples

      [...] that the Board of Regents had fallen into disrepute; that intelligent men inquired what the board was; he said that it was a quiet body, and kept out of the newspapers — and so quiet as to lead many to suppose tho board had ceased to exist.

      1868, Proceedings and Debates of the [New York] Constitutional Convention Held in 1867 and 1868 in the City of Albany, page 2853

      It was a talent he had developed; he could actually be so quiet as to be practically invisible. In class, he was rarely called upon to answer any questions. In the crowded hallways, he could slip in and out without offending any of the local bullies ...

      2006, Eric Manasse, The Twenty-First Man, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 7
    3. Expressing concession: though.

      Try as she might, she could not escape.

      4 more examples

      (As) much as I respect your viewpoint, I can’t agree.

      (As) bravely as they fought, they soon lost the battle.

      1843 (first published), Thomas Babington Macaulay, Essays We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited.

      If this happens, be patient and, difficult as it may be, try not to take these reactions personally.

      2009, Matthew Friedman, Laurie B. Slone, J Friedman, After the War Zone, →ISBN

      Synonyms: albeit

  2. At the time that; during the time when:
    1. At the same instant or moment that: when.

      As I came in, she fled.

    2. At the same time that, during the same time when: while.

      He sleeps as the rain falls.

      Synonyms: while

    3. Varying through time in the same proportion that.

      As she grew older, she grew wiser.

      1 more example

      As my fear grew, so did my legs become heavy.

  3. Being that, considering that, because, since.

    As it’s too late, I quit.

    1 more example

    (As) tired as he was, I decided not to disturb him.

    Synonyms: as long as, because, being, being as, being that, due to the fact that, for, for that

  4. datedIntroducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive, or with the verb elided): as though, as if.First known use to 19th century

    I start as from some dreadful dream.

    1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page number)
    5 more examples

    And sodenly there cam a sounde from heven as it had bene the commynge off a myghty wynde […]

    1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts ij

    Oft haue I ſeene the haughty Cardinall, More like a Souldier then a man o' th' Church, As ſtout and proud as he were Lord of all […]

    1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

    And then he flue on hir as he were wood, / And on hir breeche did hack and foyne a-good.

    1593, Thomas Nashe, The Choice of Valentines, lines 140-141

    I feel securely fixed on the careering chair, and with the momentum gained I steer myself as on skis to the guard and come to a stop with a happy little flourish.

    1990, Andrew Fetler, “The third count”, in Triquarterly, number Spring

    They think they are romantic, tragic figures, exiled as on Elba. They picture themselves as enlightened barons bringing civilization, opportunity, and kindness to the brown-skinned.

    1992/1993 Winter, Katherine Weissman, “The Divorce Gang”, in Ploughshares, volume 18, number 4, page 202
  5. lawused before a preposition to clarify that the prepositional phrase restricts the meaning of the sentence; specifically.

    The case is dismissed as against Smith.

    1 more example

    The case is dismissed as between Jones and Smith.

  6. Functioning as a relative conjunction, and sometimes like a relative pronoun: that, which, who. (See usage notes.)First known use 14th c.

    I read this extract as being extremely pessimistic.

    5 more examples

    You strike me as being a very fidgety type of person.

    He had the same problem as she did getting the lock open.

    Now will he sit under a medlar tree, And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit, As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone.

    c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)

    the temper is to be altered and amended, with such things as fortify and strengthen the heart and brain […]

    1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 5, member 1, subsection v

    ‘Sissy is not a name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Don’t call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.’ ‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey.

    1854, Charles Dickens, “Book I, Chapter II”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC
  7. EnglandobsoletepossiblyrareMidland US and Southern USThan.

    Darkness itself is no more opposite to light as their actions were diametricall to their words.

    1660, James Howell, Parly of Beasts, page 48
    1 more example

    The king was not more forward to bestow favours on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors.

    1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI)
preposition
  1. Introducing a basis of comparison, with an object in the objective case.

    They are big as houses.

    3 more examples

    You are not as tall as my sister.

    A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire.

    1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter I, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], →OCLC, page 0016

    She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry.

    1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC
  2. In the role of.

    What is your opinion as a parent?

    4 more examples

    As your big sis, I worry about your life too.

    He was never seen as the boss, but rather as a friend.

    Directed by Howard Hawks, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starred Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei and Jane Russell as Dorothy.

    2000, Tom Pendergast, Sara Pendergast, St. James encyclopedia of popular culture, volume 2, page 223

    Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.[…]A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale.

    2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist
  3. In the form of.

    I bought you a new toy as a special treat.

as2

nounas (plural ases or asses)

plural ases · plural asses

  1. unit of weightA libra, a Roman pound.
  2. Ancient RomehobbiesAny of several coins of Rome, coined in bronze or later copper; or the equivalent value.

    Synonyms: assarion, assarius

as3

noun
  1. alternativerareAlternative form of a's.

as4

adverb
  1. AustraliaNew ZealandespeciallyslangUsed to intensify an adjective; very much; extremely.

    sweet as

    1 more example

    It also appears in other positions in the sentence: his big as car could hardly fit. It's pretty scratched, and dented as.

    2021 May 17, “Language Matters: Sweet as is Kiwi as”, in Stuff

AS5

proper noun
  1. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of Anglo-Saxon.
  2. abbreviationAbbreviation of Assam: a state of India.
noun
  1. UKabbreviationhistoricalinitialismeducationInitialism of Advanced Supplementary.
  2. UKabbreviationinitialismeducationInitialism of Advanced Subsidiary.

    AS-level

  3. abbreviationinitialismcardiologyInitialism of aortic stenosis.
  4. abbreviationinitialismmedicineInitialism of Asperger's syndrome.
  5. abbreviationinitialismmedicineInitialism of ankylosing spondylitis.
  6. InternetabbreviationinitialismInitialism of autonomous system.
  7. NavyUSabbreviationinitialismInitialism of auxiliary submarine: a naval tender, a submarine tender that tends to submarines.
  8. abbreviationinitialismJava programming languageInitialism of application server.
  9. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of Alström syndrome.

AS6

phrase
  1. abbreviationinitialismIslamInitialism of alayhi as-salaam.

    Synonyms: PBUH, SAW, peace be upon him

As7

noun
  1. pluralplural of A

    She went from getting Cs and Ds to earning straight As.

Synonyms & antonyms

conjunctionExpressing concession: though.

Similar

conjunctionAt the same time that, during the same time when: while.

Similar

nounAny of several coins of Rome, coined in bronze or later copper; or the equivalent value.

More synonyms by meaning

nouna very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms; arsenic and arsenic compounds are used as herbicides and insecticides and in various alloys; found in arsenopyrite and orpiment and realgar

Similar
arsenicatomic number 33

adverbto the same degree (often followed by ‘as’)

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

as · adverb, conjunction, preposition

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-der.?
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₂elnós
  3. Proto-Germanic*allaz
  4. Proto-West Germanic*all
  5. Proto-Indo-European*swéder.?
  6. Proto-Germanic*swa
  7. Proto-West Germanic*swā
  8. Proto-West Germanic*allswā
  9. Old Englisheallswā
  10. Middle Englishalso
  11. Middle Englishas
  12. Englishas

From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German a(l)s, German als, Dutch als.

Full word history & related roots →

as · noun

  1. Latinas
  2. Englishas

Borrowed from Latin as. Doublet of ace.

Full word history & related roots →

as · adverb

Shortening of as hell or as fuck or similar.

Full word history & related roots →

AS · phrase

  1. Arabicعَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ“peace be upon him”
  2. EnglishAS

From Arabic عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ (ʕalayhi s-salāmu, “peace be upon him”), placed after the name of holy persons in Islamic texts.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Arabic كَـ, مِثْل
  • كَـ (ka-)to such an extent or degree
  • مِثْل (miṯl)to such an extent or degree
  • مِثْل (miṯl)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • كَـ (ka-)Introducing a basis of comparison
Catalan tan ... com, com
  • tan ... comto such an extent or degree
  • comIntroducing a basis of comparison
Chinese Mandarin 如此, 這麼 /这么
  • 如此 (rúcǐ)to such an extent or degree
  • 這麼 /这么 (zhème)to such an extent or degree
  • 為 /为 (wéi)In the role of
Czech tak
  • takto such an extent or degree
Danish så, lige så
  • såto such an extent or degree
  • lige såto such an extent or degree
  • somIntroducing a basis of comparison
Dutch zo ... als, als
  • zo ... alsto such an extent or degree
  • alsIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • asIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • alsIn the role of
  • in de rol vanIn the role of
  • asIn the role of
  • in de rol vanIn the role of
Esperanto tiel, kiel
  • tielto such an extent or degree
  • kielIntroducing a basis of comparison
Finnish yhtä, kuin
  • yhtäto such an extent or degree
  • kuinIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • asRoman coin
  • assiRoman coin
French aussi, que
  • aussito such an extent or degree
  • queIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • en tant queIn the role of
  • asRoman coin
German so ... wie, so ... wie
  • so ... wieto such an extent or degree
  • so ... wieIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • alsIn the role of
  • AsRoman coin
Greek τόσο ... όσο, όσο
  • τόσο ... όσο (tóso ... óso)to such an extent or degree
  • όσο (óso)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • ως (os)In the role of
  • σαν (san)In the role of
Hebrew כל כך, כ־
  • כל כך (kol kakh)to such an extent or degree
  • כ־ (k'-)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • כמו (k'mó)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • אס (as)Roman coin
Hungarian olyan, annyira
  • olyanto such an extent or degree
  • annyirato such an extent or degree
  • mintIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • -kéntIn the role of
Indonesian sebagai, seperti
  • sebagaiIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • sepertiIntroducing a basis of comparison
Irish chomh
  • chomhto such an extent or degree
Italian tanto, quanto
  • tantoto such an extent or degree
  • quantoIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • comeIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • comeIn the role of
  • daIn the role of
Japanese のほどに, のほど
  • のほどに (no hodo ni)to such an extent or degree
  • のほど (no hodo)to such an extent or degree
  • と同じくらい (to onaji kurai)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • くらい (kurai)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • ほど (hodo)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • として (to shite)In the role of
  • アス (asu)Roman coin
Korean 만큼
  • 만큼 (mankeum)to such an extent or degree
Latin tam, quam
  • tamto such an extent or degree
  • quamIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • quaIn the role of
  • asRoman coin
Malay se-, sebagai
  • se-to such an extent or degree
  • sebagaiIn the role of
  • selakuIn the role of
Norwegian like
  • liketo such an extent or degree
Persian به, به عنوان
  • به (be)to such an extent or degree
  • به عنوان (be 'onvân)In the role of
Polish tak, jak
  • takto such an extent or degree
  • jakto such an extent or degree
  • jakIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • jakoIn the role of
Portuguese tão, tanto
  • tãoto such an extent or degree
  • tantoto such an extent or degree
  • quantoIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • comoIn the role of
  • enquantoIn the role of
  • asseRoman coin
Romanian la fel de, ca
  • la fel deto such an extent or degree
  • caIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • ca șiIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • în calitate deIn the role of
Russian как, так
  • как (kak)to such an extent or degree
  • так (tak)to such an extent or degree
  • насто́лько (nastólʹko)to such an extent or degree
  • столь (stolʹ)to such an extent or degree
  • как (kak)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • как (kak)In the role of
  • в (v)In the role of
  • в ка́честве (v káčestve)In the role of
  • асс (ass)Roman coin
  • ас (as)Roman coin
Scottish Gaelic cho
  • choto such an extent or degree
Slovak tak, ako
  • takto such an extent or degree
  • akoIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • akoIn the role of
Spanish tan/cuan (...como), por muy (…que)
  • tan/cuan (...como)to such an extent or degree
  • por muy (…que)to such an extent or degree
  • comoIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • cualIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • comoIn the role of
  • asRoman coin
Swedish lika ... som, som
  • lika ... somto such an extent or degree
  • somIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • somIn the role of
Turkish kadar, kadar
  • kadarto such an extent or degree
  • kadarIntroducing a basis of comparison
  • olarakIn the role of
Ukrainian як, так
  • як (jak)to such an extent or degree
  • так (tak)to such an extent or degree
  • насті́льки (nastílʹky)to such an extent or degree
  • як (jak)Introducing a basis of comparison
  • у ро́лі (u róli)In the role of
Welsh mor, cyn
  • morto such an extent or degree
  • cynto such an extent or degree
  • felIn the role of
  • ynIn the role of
  • asRoman coin
Yiddish ווי
  • ווי (vi)In the role of

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with as

All rhymes →

Sounds the same

Cite this entry
APA

as. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/as

MLA

“as.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/as. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “as,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/as.

Source: as on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.