as1

Pronunciation: /az, əz/

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Definition of as

adverb

used in comparisons to refer to the extent or degree of something:go as fast as you can it tasted like grape juice but not as sweet
used to emphasize an amount:as many as twenty-two rare species may be at risk

conjunction

1used to indicate that something happens during the time when something else is taking place:Frank watched him as he ambled through the crowd as she grew older, she kept more to herself

2used to indicate by comparison the way that something happens or is done:they can do as they wish she kissed him goodbye, as usual
used to add or interject a comment relating to the statement of a fact:as you can see, I didn’t go after all

3because; since:I must stop now as I have to go out

4even though:sweet as he is, he doesn’t pay his bills try as he might, he failed to pull it off

preposition

1used to refer to the function or character that someone or something has:it came as a shock she got a job as a cook

2during the time of being (the thing specified):he had often been ill as a child

Phrases

as against: compared or contrasted with:the adult literacy rate for women is 44.5 percent, as against 67.8 percent for men
as and when: at the time when (used to refer to an uncertain future event):they deal with an issue as and when it rears its head
as for: with regard to:as for you, you’d better be quick
as from (or of): chiefly British used to indicate the time or date from which something starts:as from 1 January, a free market will be created I’m on the dole as of now
as if (or though): as would be the case if:she behaved as if he wasn’t there
as if!: informal I very much doubt it:You know how pools winners always say it won’t change their lives? Yeah, as if!
as (it) is: in the existing circumstances:I’ve got enough on my plate as it is
as it were: in a way (used to be less precise):areas which have been, as it were, pushed aside
as long as: see long¹.
as much: see much.
as per: see per.
as such: see such.
as to: with respect to; concerning:decisions as to which patients receive treatment
as was: formerly:Guangzhou (Canton as was) is 2000 km from Beijing
as well: see well¹.
as yet: [usually with negative] until now or a particular time in the past:the damage is as yet undetermined
as you do: British informal used as an ironic comment on a somewhat unexpected statement:on the way home I fell asleep in John’s car, as you do

Origin:

Middle English: reduced form of Old English alswā 'similarly' (see also)

For a discussion of whether it is correct to say he’s not as shy as I rather than he’s not as shy as me or I live in the same street as she rather than I live in the same street as her see personal pronoun (usage).

Grammar

A word that can be used in three main ways:Subordinating conjunctionIt can introduce a number of different types of adverbial clause: TimeAs the train drew into Victoria station, Gloria softened. ReasonAs they are fast-drying ... the application technique is slightly different. MannerThe talk that night was about experiments carried out to explain why people behaved as they did. CommentThat, as I understand it, is the law. The commonest of these four uses are the first two; in them as can mean ‘while’ or ‘because’. Occasionally this can cause confusion if a sentence is carelessly constructed. For example:I left the farm as it was getting late. Does this mean when it was getting late, or because it was getting late?PrepositionShould I get a job as a barmaid? AdverbIt can also be used as an adverb in comparisons:He’s as happy as a sandboy.

as in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of as in the US English dictionary

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Other

as1

adverb

conjunction

preposition

Phrases

as against

as and when

as for

as from (or of)

as if (or though)

as if!

as (it) is

as it were

as long as

as much

as per

as such

as to

as was

as well

as yet

as you do

Origin:

Grammar

as in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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