SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

as it is

Definition of as it is

1 :in the present condition :the way it is

Leave everything exactly/just as it is.

2 :with the situation that exists now

We have enough to do as it is without your latest orders!

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up as it is? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

burke

play

to suppress quietly or indirectly

Words at Play

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Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

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The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

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I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

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The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game