as · adverb; preposition /æz/Full view
as (JOB)
A1 used to talk about the job someone has
Dictionary example:

She works as a waitress.

Learner example:

He work[s] in a school as a teacher. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

as well
A1 also
Dictionary example:

Are you going to invite Steve as well?

Learner example:

Dylma goes to school every day and work[s] as well. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

as well as
A2 in addition to
Dictionary examples:

There are soft drinks as well as coffee and tea.

They have lived in the United States as well as Britain.

Learner example:

I like pop as well as country music. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

as (USE)
A2 having a particular use
Dictionary example:

We used the box as a table.

Learner example:

It is very useful because you can use it as a camera. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

as ... as
A2 used to compare two things, people, amounts, etc.
Dictionary examples:

She'll soon be as tall as her mother.

I can't run as fast as you.

The food here isn't as good as it used to be.

She earns three times as much as I do.

Learner example:

The air isn't as good as in the countryside because of the pollution. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

as much/quickly/soon, etc. as possible
A2 as much/quickly/soon, etc. as something can happen or be done
Dictionary examples:

Please sit down as quickly as possible.

I'll go as soon as possible.

Learner example:

I need it as soon as possible. (Key English Test; A2; Malay)

as usual
A2 in the way that happens most of the time
Dictionary example:

As usual, James was the last to arrive.

Learner example:

As usual, I'll travel by plane. (Key English Test; A2; French)

as (BEING OR APPEARING)
B1 being or appearing to be a particular thing
Dictionary examples:

He was dressed as a pirate.

As a young man, he was very lonely.

Learner example:

She was there, standing in front of me, still dressed as a bride, with tears in her eyes. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

as soon as
B1 at the same time or a very short time after
Dictionary example:

As soon as I saw her, I knew there was something wrong.

Learner example:

As soon as the rain stopped, I called my friend and we all continued walking in the park, and we all enjoyed ourselves. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Georgian)

as for
B2 used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a slightly different subject, but one that is connected in some way
Dictionary example:

I was pleased about the news. As for Emily, well, who cares what she thinks?

Learner example:

As for Chris, he agreed with me to do fifty kilometres on Saturday and stay at the Lakeside Inn. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

as a result of sth
B2 because of something
Dictionary example:

Unemployment has risen as a result of the credit crunch.

Learner example:

[O]n more than one oc[c]asion I missed the new releases or arrived late, as a result of trusting the [cinema's] website. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

as a whole
B2 when considered as a group and not in parts
Dictionary example:

The population as a whole is getting healthier.

Learner example:

To sum up, I can say that the greatest ever invention is the invention of computers, that has affected both indivi[d]uals and society as a whole. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

as a matter of fact
B2 used to give more information, or to correct something that has been said
Dictionary examples:

John plays golf professionally. As a matter of fact, he has just won a big competition.

"So you're from Cambridge?" "No, as a matter of fact, I'm from Bristol."

Learner example:

I think it would be better to choose somewhere outdoors. As a matter of fact, I prefer the open air and the sunlight! (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

as follows
B2 used to introduce a list or description
Dictionary example:

The main reasons are as follows.

Learner example:

The summary of relevant points and recommendations are as follows: 1. Both of them are located in the centre of town. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

as it happens
C1 something that you say in order to introduce a surprising fact
Dictionary example:

As it happens, her birthday is the day after mine.

Learner example:

As it happens, I am currrently looking for a computer course for myself and I would like to join one of your courses. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Hebrew)

as many as
C1 used before a number or amount to show that the number or amount is large
Dictionary example:

As many as 6,000 people may have been infected with the disease.

Learner example:

As many as 90% of them went to [the] cinema on a regular basis in 1990, with the peak of [a] 95% attendance rate taking place in 1996. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Thai)

as opposed to
C2 used to say that two things are very different
Dictionary example:

I'm talking about English football, as opposed to European football.

Learner example:

Love is accepting people as they are, being tolerant and giving freedom, as opposed to possessive love, which is what is often - if not always - understood by love. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

do sth as you see/think fit
C2 to do something that you feel is the right thing to do, although other people might disapprove
Dictionary example:

You must spend the money as you see fit.

Learner example:

Do as you think fit! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

as the/its name implies ()
C2 used to show that the name of something tells you something about it
Dictionary example:

The Long Room, as its name implies, runs the entire length of the house.

Learner example:

Sour Sweet, as the name implies, is originally a Chinese restaurant. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

as it stands
C2 as something is now, without changes in it
Dictionary example:

The law as it stands is very unclear.

Learner example:

In my opinion, this debate is rooted in a deeper questioning of society's foundations: some people see society as it stands today as inherently flawed, an amorphous group of people who follow and worship anyone that gives them pleasure. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

as if/as though
B2 used to describe how a situation seems to be
Dictionary examples:

It looks as if it might rain.

It was as though we had known each other for years.

Learner example:

Everything was so familiar, as though he [had] never left the place. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

as far as sb is concerned
B2 used to show what someone thinks about something
Dictionary examples:

As far as I'm concerned, feng shui is a load of rubbish.

As far as our customers are concerned, price is the main consideration.

Learner example:

As far as Laura was concerned, he was the most disgusting man in the world. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

as far as sth is concerned
B2 used to tell someone what you are talking about
Dictionary example:

As far as money is concerned, we're doing very well.

Learner example:

First of all, I think the Majestic Hotel would be the right location, but I have doubts as far as the costs are concerned. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)

as long as
B1 used to say that something must happen before something else can happen
Dictionary examples:

I can come as long as I can leave by 4.00.

Bring your friends by all means - just as long as I know how many are coming.

Learner example:

The colo[u]rs I wear are not important, as long as I don't wear any pink clothes. I really dislike that colo[u]r. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

as far as I know
B2 used to say that you think something is true, but cannot be sure
Dictionary example:

As far as I know, he's never been in trouble with the police.

Learner example:

As far as I know, accommodation at Camp California is in tents or log cabins. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

as yet
C1 until and including this time
Dictionary examples:

We haven't needed extra staff as yet, but may do in the future.

No ambulances had as yet managed to get across the river.

Learner example:

I would like to do something about it, but as I can't imagine building anything near my beautiful house (because I'm afraid it would destroy its wonderful harmony), I have no idea as yet how to solve this problem. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

as · conjunction /æz/
as (BECAUSE)
A2 because
Dictionary examples:

As it was getting late, I decided to book into a hotel.

You can go first as you're the oldest.

Learner example:

I need it as I have to return it to the library. (Key English Test; A2; Tamil)

as (WHILE)
B1 while or during the time that
Dictionary examples:

I saw him as I was coming into the building.

He gets more attractive as he gets older.

Learner example:

After spending two hours searching for her I started to feel desperate, but just as I was ready to give up, the sky got normal again and I found myself [at] my own wedding and she was my wife! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

as (LIKE)
B1 in the same way
Dictionary examples:

He got divorced, (just) as his parents had done years before.

This year, as in previous years, tickets sold very quickly.

As with his earlier movies, the special effects in his latest film are brilliant.

Learner example:

As we expected, we are going to see a movie tonight. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

Cambridge logo