as it were

Save This Word!

See synonyms for as it were on Thesaurus.com

Definition of as it were

Seemingly, in a way, as in He was living in a dream world, as it were. A shortening of “as if it were so,” this idiom has been in use since Chaucer's time (he had it in his Nun's Priest's Tale, c. 1386). Also see so to speak.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between "it’s" and "its" in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 8

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

it's

its

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby as it were

asinine, sinking feeling, a, ASIO, Asir, -asis, as it were, A sizes, ask, ask after, askance, Ask, and it shall be given you

How to use as it were in a sentence

Over the years, Crawford has been largely silent, speaking out only for an as-told-to obituary to Houston published in Esquire.
Inside the Lifetime Whitney Houston Movie’s Lesbian Lover Storyline|Kevin Fallon|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He made an easy target, the know-it-all liberal egghead who demeaned the wisdom of the American people.
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart|Ben Jacobs|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On her own path, though, the “relationship know-it-all” is embracing her own, different natural progression.
Confessions of a Rom-Com Writer: Liz Tuccillo Talks ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Take Care,’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In her Twitter profile bio, writer Liz Tuccillo calls herself a “relationship know-it-all.”
Confessions of a Rom-Com Writer: Liz Tuccillo Talks ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Take Care,’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Lennon Wall in Admiralty is a mosaic of Post-It notes, each square a scribbled wish.
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong|Brendon Hong|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They got all kinds of tony things–tomatoes and cucumbers and as-paragrass, and them little toadstool things.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
The "Pay-as-You-Go" system has reflected favorably on the state's financial reputation.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
I was "strung up" to a high degree of expectation and listened every moment to hear the panpipes and the Roo-too-too-it.
A Thin Ghost and Others|M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James
He was crotchetty and impracticable, a man of rash judgment and hasty action-as brave and as tenacious as a bulldog.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Ang mag-una mauy mupikat sa mga tag-as sagbut, The one in front has to push the tall grass to the sides.
A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|John U. Wolff

as it were

Definition of as it were

Words nearby as it were

Words related to as it were

How to use as it were in a sentence