# as

> English word · Adverb · IPA /əz/ · frequency rank #18

## Definitions
1. To such an extent or degree; to the same extent or degree.
2. Considered to be, in relation to something else; in the relation (specified).
3. For example; for instance. (Compare such as.)

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂elnós
Proto-Germanic *allaz
Proto-West Germanic *all
Proto-Indo-European *swéder.?
Proto-Germanic *swa
Proto-West Germanic *swā
Proto-West Germanic *allswā
Old English eallswā
Middle English also
Middle English as
English as
From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German a(l)s, German als, Dutch als.

## Easily confused with
- **at** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-at)
- **aw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-aw)
- **AU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-au)
- **AZ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-az)
- **av** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-av)
- **ay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ay)
- **ax** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ax)
- **ask** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ask)
- **ass** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ass)
- **ate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ate)
- **ash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ash)
- **ave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ave)
- **aye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-aye)
- **ATM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-atm)
- **awe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-awe)
- **axe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-axe)
- **aww** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-aww)
- **ATP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-atp)
- **Ava** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-ava)
- **ASA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/as-vs-asa)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/as