such
suhch
Such (determiner) means of the kind already mentioned or implied. Example: “I've never seen such a mess in my life.”
determiner
1
Of the kind already mentioned or implied.
"I've never seen such a mess in my life."
"Such behavior will not be tolerated."
"Such tools are useful, but you must use them carefully."
2
Used to intensify a description, roughly meaning "so very."
"It was such a beautiful sunset that everyone stopped to watch."
"She has such a kind heart that everyone trusts her."
"We had such fun at the beach yesterday afternoon."
How to use such
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to point back to something already described, or to add emphasis, similar to "that kind of" or "so."
Common pairings
such as
no such thing
such a shame
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Word forms
- Plural
- suches
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I've never seen _____ a mess in my life.
Etymology
From Old English swelc, from Proto-Germanic swalikaz, literally "so-like" — related to so and like.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for such
See all rhymes for such →Frequently asked questions
What does “such” mean?
The word “such” means of the kind already mentioned or implied. In plain terms, used to point back to something already described, or to add emphasis, similar to "that kind of" or "so.".
How do you pronounce “such”?
“Such” is pronounced suhch (/sʌt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “such” in a sentence?
Here is “such” used in a sentence: “I've never seen such a mess in my life.”
What part of speech is “such”?
“Such” is a determiner.
Where does the word “such” come from?
The word “such” comes from Old English. From Old English swelc, from Proto-Germanic swalikaz, literally "so-like" — related to so and like.
Is “such” a common word?
“Such” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “such” have?
“Such” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of the kind already mentioned or implied.
What is the difference between 'such' and 'so'?
'Such' is used before a noun or noun phrase, as in 'such a beautiful day' or 'such kindness.' 'So' is used before an adjective or adverb on its own, as in 'so beautiful' or 'so kindly.' A quick test: if a noun follows, use 'such'; if only an adjective follows, use 'so.'
What does 'such' mean in a sentence?
'Such' points back to a kind or degree already mentioned or understood, so 'I have never heard such a story' means a story of that particular sort. It can also intensify, as in 'such a mess,' emphasising the extent. In both uses it refers to the type or degree implied by context.
What does 'such as' mean?
'Such as' introduces one or more examples of a general group, and it means roughly 'for example' or 'like,' as in 'fruits such as apples and pears.' It signals that what follows is a sample rather than a complete list. In formal writing it is often preferred to the more casual 'like.'
What is an example of 'such' in a sentence?
'I had never seen such beauty' refers to beauty of the kind just witnessed. 'Such people are rare' means people of the type already described. 'It was such a long day' emphasises the degree. Each use of 'such' points back to a kind or extent understood from context.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing such in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Some personality traits, such as neuroticism, also appear to increase the likelihood of worse emotional responses to hot temperatures, said Dr Kim Meidenbauer, assistant professor of psychology at Washington State University.
From
The Guardian · Jul 9, 2026
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