as
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for as, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Conj — Used to compare two things that are equal, alike, or happening at the same time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use as
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A shortened, worn-down form of Old English eallswā ("just so, all so"), which also gave us the word "also."
Full origin of as →Frequently asked questions
What does “as” mean?
The word “as” means used to compare two things that are equal, alike, or happening at the same time. In plain terms, one of English's most common small words — used for comparisons, timing, roles, and reasons.
How do you pronounce “as”?
“As” is pronounced uhz (/əz/ in IPA).
How do you use “as” in a sentence?
Here is “as” used in a sentence: “She sang as she worked.”
What is another word for “as”?
Words with a similar meaning to “as” include although, whilst and seeing that.
What part of speech is “as”?
Depending on how it is used, “as” can be a conjunction, a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “as” come from?
The word “as” comes from Old English. A shortened, worn-down form of Old English eallswā ("just so, all so"), which also gave us the word "also.".
Is “as” a common word?
“As” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “as” have?
“As” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to compare two things that are equal, alike, or happening at the same time.
What is the difference between "as" and "like" in comparisons?
In careful usage, "as" is a conjunction that introduces a full clause with its own verb ("She sings as her mother did"), while "like" is a preposition followed by a noun ("She sings like her mother"). In everyday speech "like" often replaces "as" before clauses, but formal writing still prefers "as" in that position.
When should you use "as" instead of "because"?
"As" can give a reason, just like "because," but it is weaker and can be ambiguous, since "as" also means "while" or "at the same time that." Use "because" when the reason is the main point of the sentence, and keep "as" for reasons the reader already knows or that matter less: "As it was raining, we stayed in."
How does the "as...as" structure work?
The pattern "as + adjective or adverb + as" compares two things that are equal in some way: "She is as tall as her brother." In negative sentences, "not as...as" (or the more formal "not so...as") shows the first item is less: "It's not as cold as yesterday."
Can "as" mean "while" or "when"?
Yes. "As" can link two actions happening at the same time: "The phone rang as I was leaving." In this use it is close to "while," though "as" often suggests one action in progress at the exact moment another occurs.