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also

SayAWL-soh/ˈɔl.soʊ/UK/ˈɔːl.səʊ/

3 meanings of also

Practice

  1. 1
    as welladverb
    Used to add something to what has already been mentioned; as well as that, or too.

    She teaches history and also coaches the swim team.

    The report is late; it is also incomplete.

    Similartoo, additionally, besides, furthermore, moreover

  2. 2
    plusconjunction
    And in addition, used as a clipped 'and also' to join a further item or clause.

    The room has a desk, also a small fridge.

    He plays piano, also guitar.

    UsageComes after a comma, before the extra item: a desk, also a small fridge.

    Similarplus, and

  3. 3
    adverbobsolete
    To the same degree; so or as.
    Note

    Here the old comparison inside all + so is still alive. The clipped descendant as kept this job (as old as), while the full word kept only the meaning 'in addition'. When you meet it in older prose, read it as 'equally' or 'just as'.

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

    • The historical comparative meaning derives from the elements all + so. en.wiktionary.org
    • As is a reduced descendant of also. en.wiktionary.org
    • As retains the meaning of equal degree. en.wiktionary.org
    • The comparative meaning of also is obsolete, while its additive meaning survives; in its older comparative sense it means equally or just as. en.wiktionary.org

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English also, from Old English eallswā ("just like, also"), which is simply all + so. It is a doublet of as, and is related to German also and Dutch alzo ("so, thus").

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 4 facts