as . . . as

Idioms

Also, so . . . as. Used with an adjective or adverb to show similarity or equality of one thing with another. The as . . . as construction appears in numerous similes, including the idioms as rich as Croesus, as big as life, as good as done. (In this book, when such idioms occur without the first as, they can be found under the adjective or adverb, rich as . . .; big as . . .; good as . . .; etc.; those that do not, like as far as, as long as, as well as, are found at as below.) The construction so . . . as is often preferred in negative statements like I couldn't sleep, not so much as a wink, a usage dating from the 1200s. Also see as far as.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead, he sees the recent declines in BDC shares as “as platform level derisking that has produced an outsized near-term value proposition in higher-quality vehicles now trading at discounted” valuations relative to NAV.

From MarketWatch

Jareth peeks at her from between the masked dancers whirling around her, hiding and seeking, smiling gently, for once, as “As the World Falls Down” lilts behind the action.

From Salon

The government is describing the measures as as the biggest overhaul of the water industry in England and Wales since privatisation.

From BBC

Ross and I, because we’re twins, we were really good at communicating with each other, but not with other people, and I think we’ve gotten a lot better at working with a large group of people, and hopefully we’ve evolved as as filmmakers.

From Los Angeles Times

“Singing became a background to just being the character, which honestly, in some ways, was the hardest thing. Maybe even for my ego as as an artist.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023