as
as
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling
Strong form: /æz/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)
a - /æ/ (as in "cat" or "trap")
s - /z/ (as in "zoo")
Weak form: /əz/ (most common in everyday speech)
a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed, as in "about")
s - /z/ (as in "zoo")
Word Form Variations
As" is a highly versatile word that can function as an adverb, conjunction, or preposition. It does not have singular/plural forms, tense inflections, or other variations common to nouns, verbs, or adjectives.
Adverb: as
Conjunction: as
Preposition: as
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
To the same degree or in the same way; equally. (Used to make comparisons)
Example: "He's as tall as his father."
Synonyms: equally, similarly, likewise
Antonyms: unequally, differently, dissimilarly
Used to express the extent or result of a quality or action.
Example: "It's not as cold as it was yesterday."
Synonyms: so (in negative constructions), that (in some archaic uses)
Antonyms: more (in comparison), less (in comparison)
Conjunction
While; at the same time that. (Indicating simultaneous events)
Example: "She sang as she worked."
Synonyms: while, whilst, at the same time that, during
Antonyms: before, after
Because; since. (Indicating a reason or cause)
Example: "As it was getting late, we decided to leave."
Synonyms: because, since, seeing that, given that
Antonyms: although, despite, even though
In the way that; in the manner that.
Example: "Do as you are told."
Synonyms: like, in the manner that, according to how
Antonyms: unlike, contrary to
Used to state something that is true in a specific context or respect.
Example: "Tired as he was, he kept working."
Synonyms: though (often at the end of a clause), even if, even though
Preposition
In the role of; being. (Indicating function or identity)
Example: "He works as a teacher."
Synonyms: in the capacity of, being, serving as, acting as
Antonyms: not as, unlike
According to; in accordance with.
Example: "Everything happened just as planned."
Synonyms: according to, in accordance with, following
Antonyms: contrary to, against
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859)
Newspapers:
"The government's new policy will be implemented as planned, despite opposition from some sectors." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to optimize your website as you build it, ensuring better search engine rankings from day one." (Moz.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Play it again, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By'." (Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, 1942 – often misquoted as "Play it as Sam")
"Do as I say, not as I do." (Common proverb, often used in films and TV)
"This week, we'll discuss the new trends in gaming as they emerge." (Podcast episode on Spotify)
General Public Discourse:
"She works as a teacher."
"He's not as tall as his brother."
"Do as you like."
"As you know, the meeting starts at 10 AM."
10 Quotes Using As
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." (Albert Einstein)
"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, c. 1597)
"Do as I say, not as I do." (Proverb, widely attributed)
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." (Proverb, widely attributed)
"Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet, c. 1600)
"Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans." (Allen Saunders, popularized by John Lennon)
"You can go as far as your mind lets you." (Mary Kay Ash)
"The secret of happiness is this: let your interests be as wide as possible." (Bertrand Russell)
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." (William James)
Etymology
The word "as" is a very old and incredibly versatile word in English, used primarily for comparisons, time, and roles.
It comes from the Old English word "alswā" or "alswa." This Old English term was a compound of:
"all": meaning "completely" or "entirely."
"swā": meaning "so" or "in that way." This is related to our modern "so."
So, literally, "alswā" meant "all so" or "entirely in that way."
Over time, the initial "al-" part was often dropped in everyday speech, particularly when "as" was used in comparisons. The "s" sound at the end often became voiced (/z/) in unstressed positions.
The first known use of "as" in English (in its Old English form "alswā") appeared in texts from as early as the 9th century. Its original meaning was consistent with "so" or "likewise," often used for comparison (e.g., "as white as snow") or to indicate manner ("do as I say"). Over centuries, it expanded its roles to include time ("as I walked"), cause ("as it was late"), and role ("as a teacher").
Phrases + Idioms Containing As
As soon as (immediately after)
As far as (to the extent that; concerning)
As if/though (as if it were the case; as if it happened)
As good as (virtually; almost)
As long as (provided that; during the time that)
As per (in accordance with)
As yet (up to this time; so far)
As such (in the strict sense of the word; in that capacity)
As much as (to the same degree that)
As easy as pie (very easy, using a common simile)
Same as always (unchanged; customary)
Just as (at the very moment that; in exactly the same way)
As quiet as a mouse (very quiet, a common simile)
As busy as a bee (very busy, a common simile)
As clean as a whistle (very clean, a common simile)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of as from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
