as it were

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

as it were

To donate albums and other collectibles, think outside the boxes, as it were.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

The story, as it were, centers on a woman named Lisa Blupey, portrayed by stage veteran Jessica Vosk, who runs a small business selling socks but is drowning in financial statements and malfunctioning A.I.-powered platforms.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

But the “news hook,” as it were, is the “Winning Works” program of the city’s Joffrey troupe and a program that encourages the creation of new work from underrepresented constituencies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Storrie’s “SNL” nomination is the voters’ way of signaling they’re down to come to the cottage, as it were.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Upon noticing this curious coincidence, the gentlemen then gained an ambition to visit the three villages in question - in honour, as it were, of the music hall artistes.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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