as if
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as if
- /ˌæz‿ˈɪf/ US, UK
- /əz‿ˈɪf/ unstressed
Rhymes with -ɪf
Where it comes from
From Middle English as ȝif, alls iff (“as if”), from Old English *ealswā ġif, attested only as swā ġif (“as if”), equivalent to as + if. Compare Saterland Frisian as of (“as if”), Dutch alsof (“as if”), Low German as of (“as if”), German als ob (“as if”).
conjunction
- As though; in a manner suggesting. The old man stumbled, as if he were about to fall.
- In mimicry of. When the teacher’s back was turned, the class clown would hold his stomach as if he were ill.
- Indicating something that the speaker deems very unlikely, or is adamant that he or she would not do (see also interjection sense below). How can you even think that? As if I would inform on you to the police!
interjection
- Indicates that the speaker deems something highly unlikely. "I'm going to clean your whole house." — "As if!"
