as

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To such an extent or degree

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

   • She regards her kids as (being) as holy as saints.
   • 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.
2. 2

   Considered to be, in relation to something else

   Considered to be, in relation to something else; in the relation (specified).

3. 3

   For example

   For example; for instance. (Compare such as.)

   • Likewise many other indulgences were by virtue hereof granted; as, to have a portatile altar, to receive the Sacrament privately; […]
   • First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America.
4. ›+ 27 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      In the (same) way or manner that

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

      • Do as I say!
      • I'm under a lot of pressure, as you know.
      • As you wish, my lord!
   2. 5

      At the time that

      At the time that; during the time when:

      • As I came in, she fled.
   3. 6

      Being that, considering that, because, since.

      • As it’s too late, I quit.
      • (As) tired as he was, I decided not to disturb him.
   4. 7

      Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive, or with the verb…

      Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive, or with the verb elided): as though, as if.

      • And sodenly there cam a sounde from heven as it had bene the commynge off a myghty wynde […]
      • 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 […]
      • And then he flue on hir as he were wood, / And on hir breeche did hack and foyne a-good.
   5. 8

      used before a preposition to clarify that the prepositional phrase restricts the meaning…

      used before a preposition to clarify that the prepositional phrase restricts the meaning of the sentence; specifically.

      • The case is dismissed as between Jones and Smith.
      • The case is dismissed as against Smith.
   6. 9

      Functioning as a relative conjunction, and sometimes like a relative pronoun

      Functioning as a relative conjunction, and sometimes like a relative pronoun: that, which, who. (See usage notes.)

      • You strike me as being a very fidgety type of person.
      • He had the same problem as she did getting the lock open.
      • I read this extract as being extremely pessimistic.
   7. 10

      Than.

      • The king was not more forward to bestow favours on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors.
      • Darkness itself is no more opposite to light as their actions were diametricall to their words.
   8. 11

      Introducing a basis of comparison, with an object in the objective case.

      • You are not as tall as my sister.
      • They are big as houses.
      • 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.
   9. 12

      In the role of.

      • What is your opinion as a parent?
      • As your big sis, I worry about your life too.
      • He was never seen as the boss, but rather as a friend.
   10. 13

       In the form of.

       • I bought you a new toy as a special treat.
   11. 14

       A libra, a Roman pound.

   12. 15

       Any of several coins of Rome, coined in bronze or later copper

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

   13. 16

       Alternative form of a's.

   14. 17

       Used to intensify an adjective

       Used to intensify an adjective; very much; extremely

       • sweet as
       • It also appears in other positions in the sentence: his big as car could hardly fit. It's pretty scratched, and dented as.
   15. 18

       Initialism of Anglo-Saxon.

   16. 19

       Abbreviation of Assam

       Abbreviation of Assam: a state of India.

   17. 20

       Initialism of Advanced Supplementary.

   18. 21

       Initialism of Advanced Subsidiary.

       • AS-level
   19. 22

       Initialism of aortic stenosis.

   20. 23

       Initialism of Asperger's syndrome.

   21. 24

       Initialism of ankylosing spondylitis.

   22. 25

       Initialism of autonomous system.

   23. 26

       Initialism of auxiliary submarine

       Initialism of auxiliary submarine: a naval tender, a submarine tender that tends to submarines.

   24. 27

       Initialism of application server.

   25. 28

       Initialism of Alström syndrome.

   26. 29

       Initialism of alayhi as-salaam.

   27. 30

       plural of A

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

The neighborhood

• synonymalthough
• synonymeven though
• synonymwhilst
• synonymwhile
• synonymseeing that
• synonymbecause