as long as

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

as¹ /æz; unstressed əz/   adv. 

1. to the same degree or amount;
   equally:
   It costs three times as much.
2. for example:
   a number of spring flowers, as the tulip.
3. thought or considered to be:
   the square as distinct from the rectangle.
4. in the manner indicated:
   She sang as promised.

conj. 

5. to the same degree or extent that:
   I like to do as I please.
6. in the degree or manner of;
   in the same degree or manner that:
   Do as we do.
7. at the same time that;
   while;
   when:
   Pay as you enter.
8. since;
   because:
   As you are leaving last, lock the door.
9. though:
   Strange as it seems, it is true.
10. [so + adjective + ~ + to + verb] that the result or effect was:
    His voice was so loud as to make everyone stare.

pron. 

11. [the same + ~] that;
    who;
    which:
    I have the same trouble as you had.
12. a fact that:
    She spoke the truth, as can be proved.

prep. 

13. in the role, function, job, or status of:
    to act as leader.
14. to the same degree or extent that:
    Quick as a flash he was out the door.
15. by way of;
    for (a reason):
    I bought you this toy as a special treat.

Idioms

16. Idioms as … as, [~ + adjective/adverb + ~] (used to express similarity or equality between one person or thing and another): She is as rich as Croesus (= She and Croesus are equally or similarly rich).
17. Idioms as far as, to the degree or extent that:
    It is an excellent plan, as far as I can tell.
18. Idioms as for or as to, with respect to;
    about;
    concerning:
    As for staying away, I wouldn't think of it.
19. Idioms as good as:
    • equivalent to: It now works as good as new.
    • true to;
      trustworthy as: He has always been as good as his word.
20. Idioms as if or as though, as it would be if:
    It was as if the world had come to an end.
21. Idioms as is, in whatever condition something is in when offered, esp. if damaged:
    You must buy the car as is.
22. Idioms as it were, in a way;
    so to speak:
    He became, as it were, a man without a country.
23. Idioms as of, beginning on;
    on and after;
    from:
    This price is effective as of next Sunday.
24. Idioms as such:
    • as being what is indicated;
      in that capacity;
      because of what someone or something is: An officer of the law, as such, is entitled to respect (= An officer of the law, because he or she is an officer of the law, is entitled to respect).
    • in itself or in themselves: The job, as such, does not appeal to me. (= The job, being the kind of job it is, does not appeal to me.)
25. Idioms as yet, up to the present time:
    I don't, as yet, have a decent salary.

A.S., an abbreviation of: 

1. Associate in Science.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

long¹ /lɔŋ, lɑŋ/   adj., long•er /ˈlɔŋgɚ, ˈlɑŋ-/  long•est 

/ˈlɔŋgɪst, ˈlɑŋ-/   n., adv. 
adj. 
1. having considerable or greater than usual measurement in length or distance:
   a long table; a long way to travel.
2. lasting a considerable length of time:
   a long story; a long trip.
3. extending, lasting, measuring, or totaling a number of specified units:
   [after a noun] The river was eight miles long.
4. containing many items:
   a long list.
5. extending beyond normal, moderate, or desired limits:
   He's been working long hours.
6. reaching well into the past:
   a long record of hatred.
7. taking a long time;
   slow:
   He was long in getting here.
8. forward-looking;
   long-range:
   taking the long view.
9. intense, thorough, or critical;
   seriously examining:
   took a long look at his life.
10. having a good or large supply or endowment:
    He's long on brains.
11. being against great odds;
    unlikely:
    a long chance.
12. Phonetics
    • (of a speech sound) lasting a relatively long time:
      long vowels.
    • having the sound of the English vowels in mate, meet, mite, mote, moot, and mute:
      The long vowels are sometimes written with a macron on top of them, as ā, ē, ī, and ō.

n. 
13. a comparatively long time:
    [uncountable] They haven't been gone for long.
14. Clothing
    • [uncountable] a size of garments for men who are taller than average.
    • [countable] a garment in this size.

adv. 
15. for or through a great extent of space or, esp., time:
    a reform that has long been needed.
16. for or throughout a period or extent, esp. of time:
    How long did he stay?
17. at a point of time far distant from the time indicated:
    long before now.
Idioms
18. Idioms as long as:
    • provided that:
      You can watch television as long as you have finished your homework.
    • seeing that;
      since:
      As long as you're going, I'll go too.
    • Also, so long as. during the time that;
      while:
      As long as he has been in charge that division has done well.
19. Idioms before long, soon:
    I hope I get to see you before long.
20. Idioms the long and (the) short of it, [~ + be + (that) clause] the essential point or end result:
    The long and short of it is that they'll have to sell the house.

long² /lɔŋ, lɑŋ/   v. 

1. to have an earnest or strong desire or craving;
   yearn: [~ + for + object]
   to long for spring.
   [~ + to + verb]
   He longed to return home.
   [~ + for + object + to + verb]
   longed for her to kiss him.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

as¹  (az; unstressed əz), adv. 

1. to the same degree, amount, or extent;
   similarly;
   equally:
   I don't think it's as hot and humid today as it was yesterday.
2. for example;
   for instance:
   Some flowers, as the rose, require special care.
3. thought to be or considered to be:
   the square as distinct from the rectangle; the church as separate from the state.
4. in the manner (directed, agreed, promised, etc.):
   She sang as promised. He left as agreed.
5. as well. See well ¹ (def. 11).
6. as well as. See well ¹ (def. 12).

conj. 

7. (used correlatively after an adjective or adverb prec. by an adverbial phrase, the adverbial as, or another adverb) to such a degree or extent that:
   It came out the same way as it did before. You are as good as you think you are.
8. (without antecedent) in the degree, manner, etc., of or that:
   She's good as gold. Do as we do.
9. at the same time that;
   while;
   when:
   as you look away.
10. since;
    because:
    As you are leaving last, please turn out the lights.
11. though:
    Questionable as it may be, we will proceed.
12. with the result or purpose:
    He said it in a voice so loud as to make everyone stare.
13. [Informal.] (in dependent clauses) that:
    I don't know as I do.
14. Dialect Terms, British Terms [Midland and Southern U.S. and Brit. Dial.] than.
15. as … as, (used to express similarity or equality in a specified characteristic, condition, etc., as between one person or thing and another):
    as rich as Croesus.
16. as far as, to the degree or extent that:
    It is an excellent piece of work, as far as I can tell.
17. as for or to, with respect to;
    in reference to:
    As for staying away, I wouldn't think of it.
18. as good as:
    • equivalent to;
      in effect;
      practically:
      as good as new.
    • true to;
      trustworthy as:
      as good as his word.
19. Dialect Terms as how, [Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.] that;
    if;
    whether:
    He allowed as how it was none of my business. I don't know as how I ought to interfere.
20. as if or though, as it would be if:
    It was as if the world had come to an end.
21. as is, in whatever condition something happens to be, esp. referring to something offered for sale in a flawed, damaged, or used condition:
    We bought the table as is.
22. as it were, in a way;
    so to speak:
    He became, as it were, a man without a country.
23. as long as. See long¹ (def. 39).
24. as of, beginning on;
    on and after;
    from:
    This price is effective as of June 23.
25. as regards, with regard or reference to;
    concerning:
    As regards the expense involved, it is of no concern to him.
26. as such:
    • as being what is indicated;
      in that capacity:
      An officer of the law, as such, is entitled to respect.
    • in itself or in themselves:
      The position, as such, does not appeal to him, but the salary is a lure.
27. as yet, up to the present time;
    until now:
    As yet, no one has thought of a solution.

pron. 

28. (used relatively) that;
    who;
    which (usually prec. by such or the same):
    I have the same trouble as you had.
29. a fact that:
    She did her job well, as can be proved by the records.
30. Dialect Terms [New England, Midland, and Southern U.S.] who;
    whom;
    which;
    that:
    Them as has gets.

prep. 

31. in the role, function, or status of:
    to act as leader.

• bef. 1000; Middle English as, als, alse, also, Old English alswā, ealswā all so (see also), quite so, quite as, as; cognate with Middle Dutch alse (Dutch als), Old High German alsō (Middle High German álsō, álse, als, German also so, als as, as if, because)

Synonyms

• 10. See because. 

Usage

As a conjunction, one sense of as is "because'':
As she was bored, Sue left the room.
As also has an equally common use in the sense "while, when'':
As the parade passed by, the crowd cheered and applauded.
These two senses sometimes result in ambiguity:
As the gates were closed, he walked away.
(When? Because?)
As … as is standard in both positive and negative constructions:
The fleet was as widely scattered then as it had been at the start of the conflict.
Foreign service is not as attractive as it once was.
So … as is sometimes used in negative constructions (… not so attractive as it once was) and in questions ("What is so rare as a day in June?'').
The phrase as far as generally introduces a clause:
As far as money is concerned, the council has exhausted all its resources.
In some informal speech and writing, as far as is treated as a preposition and followed only by an object:
As far as money, the council has exhausted all its resources.
As to as a compound preposition has long been standard though occasionally criticized as a vague substitute for about, of, on, or concerning: We were undecided as to our destination. As to sometimes occurs at the beginning of a sentence, where it introduces an element that would otherwise have less emphasis:
As to his salary, that too will be reviewed.
As to what and as to whether are sometimes considered redundant but have long been standard:
an argument as to what department was responsible.
See also all, because, farther, like, so¹. 

as²  (as), n., pl. as•ses 

(as′iz). 
1. Currency a copper coin and early monetary unit of ancient Rome, originally having a nominal weight of a pound of 12 ounces: discontinued c80 b.c.
2. Weights and Measures a unit of weight equal to 12 ounces.

• Latin
• 1595–1605

AS, 

1. Place Names American Samoa (approved esp. for use with zip code).
2. Language Varieties Anglo-Saxon.
3. Military antisubmarine.

As, [Symbol, Chem.]

1. Chemistry arsenic (def. 1).

as-, 

1. var. of ad- before
   s: assert.

AS., 

1. Language Varieties Anglo-Saxon.

A.S., 

1. Associate in Science.
2. Anglo-Saxon.

A.-S., 

1. Language Varieties Anglo-Saxon.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

long¹  (lông, long), adj. long•er (lông′gər, long′-), long•est 

(lông′gist, long′-), n., adv. 
adj. 
1. having considerable linear extent in space:
   a long distance; a long handle.
2. having considerable duration in time:
   a long conversation; a long while.
3. extending, lasting, or totaling a number of specified units:
   eight miles long; eight hours long.
4. containing many items or units:
   a long list.
5. requiring a considerable time to relate, read, etc.:
   a long story.
6. extending beyond normal or moderate limits:
   a long, boring speech.
7. experienced as passing slowly, because of the difficulty, tedium, or unpleasantness involved:
   long years of study.
8. reaching well into the past:
   a long memory.
9. the longer of two or the longest of several:
   the long way home; a brick with the long side exposed.
10. taking a long time;
    slow:
    He's certainly long getting here.
11. forward-looking or considering all aspects;
    broad:
    to take a long view of life.
12. intense, thorough, or critical;
    seriously appraising:
    a long look at one's past mistakes.
13. having an ample supply or endowment of something (often fol. by on):
    to be long on advice; to be long on brains.
14. having a considerable time to run, as a promissory note.
15. Law [Chiefly Law.] distant or remote in time:
    a long date.
16. extending relatively far:
    a man with a long reach.
17. being higher or taller than usual:
    long casement windows.
18. being against great odds;
    unlikely:
    a long chance.
19. (of beverages) mixed or diluted with a large amount of soda, seltzer, etc.:
    highballs, collinses, and other long drinks.
20. Physical Anthropology (of the head or skull) of more than ordinary length from front to back.
21. [Phonet.]
    • lasting a relatively long time:
      "Feed'' has a longer sound than "feet'' or "fit.''
    • belonging to a class of sounds considered as usually longer in duration than another class, as the vowel of bought as compared to that of but, and in many languages serving as a distinctive feature of phonemes, as the ah in German Bahn in contrast with the a in Bann, or the tt in Italian fatto in contrast with the t in fato (opposed to short).
    • having the sound of the English vowels in mate, meet, mite, mote, moot, and mute, historically descended from vowels that were long in duration.
22. Poetry [Pros.] (of a syllable in quantitative verse) lasting a longer time than a short syllable.
23. Stock Exchange, Business [Finance.] holding or accumulating stocks, futures, commodities, etc., with the expectation of a rise in prices:
    a long position in chemicals.
24. Games
    • marked by a large difference in the numbers of the given betting ratio or in the amounts wagered:
      long odds.
    • of or pertaining to the larger amount bet.
25. Ceramics (of clay) very plastic;
    fat.

n. 
26. a comparatively long time:
    They haven't been gone for long. Will it take long?
27. Poetry something that is long:
    The signal was two longs and a short.
28. Clothing a size of garment for men who are taller than average.
29. a garment, as a suit or overcoat, in this size:
    The shorts and the longs are hung separately.
30. Business [Finance.] a person who accumulates or holds stocks or commodities with the expectation of a rise in prices.
31. Music and Dance longa.
32. Idioms before long, soon:
    We should have news of her whereabouts before long.
33. Idioms the long and the short of, the point or gist of;
    substance of:
    The long and the short of it is that they will be forced to sell all their holdings.
    Also, the long and short of. 

adv. 
34. for or through a great extent of space or, esp., time:
    a reform long advocated.
35. for or throughout a specified extent, esp. of time:
    How long did he stay?
36. (used elliptically in referring to the length of an absence, delay, etc.):
    Will she be long?
37. throughout a specified period of time (usually used to emphasize a preceding noun):
    It's been muggy all summer long.
38. at a point of time far distant from the time indicated:
    long before.
39. Idioms as long as:
    • provided that:
      As long as you can come by six, I'll be here.
    • seeing that;
      since:
      As long as you're going to the grocery anyway, buy me a pint of ice cream.
    • Also, so long as. during the time that;
      through the period that:
      As long as we were neighbors, they never invited us inside their house.
• bef. 900; (adjective, adjectival) Middle English longe, Old English lang, long; cognate with Dutch, German lang, Old Norse langr, Gothic langs, Latin longus; (noun, nominal) late Middle English, derivative of the adjective, adjectival; (adverb, adverbial) Middle English long(e), lange, Old English longe, lange, cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German lango
long′ly, adv. 
long′ness, n. 
Synonyms
• 1. lengthy, extensive.
• 2. protracted, prolonged, extended.
• 6. overlong, wordy, prolix; tedious, boring.

long²  (lông, long), v.i. 

1. to have an earnest or strong desire or craving;
   yearn:
   to long for spring; to long to return home.

• bef. 900; Middle English longen, Old English langian grow longer, yearn after, summon; see long¹

Synonyms

See yearn. 

long³  (lông, long), v.i. 

1. [Archaic.] to be suitable or fitting.
2. [Obs.] to be the possession;
   belong.

• 1150–1200; Middle English longen to be suitable or proper, belong, derivative of long on account (of ), attributable (to), dependent (on), Old English gelang belonging (to), dependent (on); see along

Long  (lông, long), n. 

Crawford Wil•liam•son  (wil′yəm sən), 1815–78, U.S. surgeon. Hu•ey Pierce  (hyo̅o̅′ē), 1893–1935. U.S. politician: governor of Louisiana 1928–31; U.S. senator 1931–35. Russell B(il•liu)  (bil′yo̅o̅), born 1918, U.S. lawyer and politician: U.S. senator 1948–87 (son of Huey Pierce Long).
1. Biographical Stephen Harriman, 1784–1864, U.S. army officer and explorer.

long., 

1. Geography longitude.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

long / lɒŋ/ adjective

1. having relatively great extent in space on a horizontal plane
2. having relatively great duration in time
3. (postpositive) of a specified number of units in extent or duration: three hours long
4. (in combination): a two-foot-long line
5. having or consisting of a relatively large number of items or parts: a long list
6. having greater than the average or expected range: a long memory
7. being the longer or longest of alternatives: the long way to the bank
8. having more than the average or usual quantity, extent, or duration: a long match
9. seeming to occupy a greater time than is really so: she spent a long afternoon waiting in the departure lounge
10. intense or thorough (esp in the phrase a long look)
11. (of drinks) containing a large quantity of nonalcoholic beverage
12. (of a garment) reaching to the wearer's ankles
13. (followed by on) plentifully supplied or endowed (with): long on good ideas
14. (of a speech sound, esp a vowel) of relatively considerable duration
15. (in popular usage) denoting the qualities of the five English vowels in such words as mate, mete, mite, moat, moot, and mute
16. from end to end; lengthwise
17. unlikely to win, happen, succeed, etc: a long chance
18. denoting a vowel of relatively great duration or (esp in classical verse) followed by more than one consonant
19. denoting a syllable containing such a vowel
20. (in verse that is not quantitative) carrying the emphasis or ictus
21. having or characterized by large holdings of securities or commodities in anticipation of rising prices: a long position
22. (of a fielding position) near the boundary: long leg
23. (of people) tall and slender
24. in the long run ⇒
    See run82
25. long in the tooth ⇒ old or ageing

adverb

1. for a certain time or period: how long will it last?
2. for or during an extensive period of time: long into the next year
3. at a distant time; quite a bit of time: long before I met you, long ago
4. into a position with more security or commodity holdings than are required by sale contracts and therefore dependent on rising prices for profit: to go long
5. as long as, so long as ⇒ for or during just the length of time that
6. inasmuch as; since
7. provided that; if
8. no longer ⇒ not any more; formerly but not now

noun

1. a long time (esp in the phrase for long)
2. a relatively long thing, such as a signal in Morse code
3. a clothing size for tall people, esp in trousers
4. a long vowel or syllable
5. a person with large holdings of a security or commodity in expectation of a rise in its price; bull
6. a note common in medieval music but now obsolete, having the time value of two breves
7. before long ⇒ soon
8. the long and the short of it ⇒ the essential points or facts

Etymology: Old English lang; related to Old High German lang, Old Norse langr, Latin longus

long / lɒŋ/ verb

1. (intr; followed by for or an infinitive) to have a strong desire

Etymology: Old English langian; related to long¹

long / lɒŋ/ verb

1. (intransitive) to belong, appertain, or be appropriate

Etymology: Old English langian to belong, from gelang at hand, belonging to; compare along

long abbreviation

1. longitude