as

1 strong adverb, preposition

1 as old/fat/clever etc as sb/sth equally old, fat etc as someone or something else: My brother is not as old as me. | Her ring is twice as big as mine. | as soon as possible (=as soon as you can) | just as clever/clean/happy etc: Tina's clever, but her brother is just as clever.

-see also: as good as good 1 (34)

2 such as for example: a heavy land horse such as a Suffolk | "There are plenty of opportunities for young people." "Oh yeah, such as?" | such ... as: The disease attacks such birds as parrots and canaries.

-see also: no such ... as such 1 (6)

3 as a teacher/mother/actor etc used when you are describing someone's job or the main purpose of someone or something: As parents we are concerned for our children's future. | Speaking as your doctor, I would not advise this. | It's not bad as a first attempt. | The children all dressed up as animals.

4 as a result of sth because of something: Several businesses went under as a result of the recession.

5 be regarded as sth to be considered to be something: `Novecento' is regarded by many as Bertolucci's best film.

-see also: as one one 2 (15) 2 conjunction

1 used in comparisons: I can't run as fast as I used to. | Jim works in the same office as my sister does.

2 in the particular way or manner mentioned: Do as I say! | We'd better leave things as they are until the police arrive. | As I mentioned in my last letter, I'll be back in Ohio in June. | David, as you know, has not been well lately. | as usual: Roberta was late as usual.

3 while or when: I saw Peter as I was getting off the bus. | As time passed, things seemed to get worse.

4 used to state why a particular situation exists or why someone does something: As we're both tired, let's just grab a takeaway. | seeing as (=since): A cup of tea? I hardly think so, seeing as I'm going out in about two minutes.

5 though: Unlikely as it might seem, I'm tired too. | Try as she might, Sue couldn't get the door open. | As popular as he is, the President hasn't always managed to have his own way.

6 so cold/heavy/quick etc as to... or such an idiot/a disaster etc as to... used to show the reason that makes something happen or not happen: The water was so cold as to make swimming quite impossible. | How could he have been such an idiot as to trust them in the first place?

7 so as to do sth with the purpose of doing something: The little boy ran off so as not to be caught.

8 as for sb/sth especially spoken an expression meaning `concerning'; used when you are starting to talk about someone or something new that is connected with what you were talking about before: Nick can stay, but as for you, you can get out of my sight.

9 as yet (used in negatives) until and including the present time: We've had no word from Colin as yet.

10 as if.../as though...

a) in a way that suggests that something is true or not true: You look as if you've had a good time. | It sounds as though she's been really ill. | Mandy felt as if they were all ganging up on her. | as if to say: Beckworth shook his head as if to say "don't trust her".

b) used to suggest a possible explanation for something although you do not think that this is the actual explanation: That news reporter always sounds as if he's drunk. | You make it sound as if you have to go without food for days on end!

11 it's not as if... used to say that something is definitely not true, about a situation or someone's behaviour: Why do they never go on holiday? I mean it's not as if they're poor is it? | I don't know why you're so frightened of her, it's not as if she's got any power over you.

12 as if you would/as if you care/as if it matters used to say that someone would definitely not do something, does not care etc or that something does not matter at all: Margaret told me she'd never speak to me again! As if I cared. (=I do not care at all.) | "I reckon Ken's deliberately ignoring us." "As if he would!" (=he would not ignore us)

13 as it is

a) according to the situation that actually exists, especially when that situation is different from what you expected or need: They hoped to finish the kitchen by Friday, but as it is they'll probably have to come back next week.

b) already: Just keep quiet, you're in enough trouble as it is.

14 as from today/15th December/next June etc also as of today etc starting from today, 15th December etc and continuing: As from today, you are in charge of the office. | As of now, there will be no more paid overtime.

15 as against in comparison with: Profits this year are $2.5 million as against $4 million last year.

16 as to whether/who/which etc an expression meaning `concerning' used when speaking about arguments and decisions: Frank was very uncertain as to whether it was the job for him. | advice as to which suppliers to approach

17 as much as to say especially spoken expressing something in actions rather than words: He shrugged, as much as to say he wasn't interested.

18 as it were used when describing someone or something in a way that is not quite exact: Jim Radcliffe became our idol as it were, the man we all wanted to be.

19 as to according to a particular standard or principle: The fabrics were arranged as to size and colour.

20 as is/was/does etc formal in the same way as someone or something else is, does etc: Eve's very tall, as was her mother. | I voted Labour, as did my wife.

-see also: not as such such 2 (4), as well well 2 (5), as well as well 2 (4), might (just) as well might 1 (8)