such

[ suhch ]

adjective

1. of the kind, character, degree, extent, etc., of that or those indicated or implied:

   Such a man is dangerous.

2. of that particular kind or character:

   The food, such as it was, was plentiful.

3. like or similar:

   tea, coffee, and such commodities.

4. (used with omission of an indication of comparison) of so extreme a kind; so great, good, bad, etc.:

   He is such a liar.

5. being as stated or indicated:

   Such is the case.

6. being the person or thing or the persons or things indicated:

   If any member be behind in his dues, such member shall be suspended.

7. definite but not specified; such and such:

   Allow such an amount for food and such an amount for rent.

adverb

1. so; very; to such a degree:

   such pleasant people.

2. in such a way or manner.

pronoun

1. such a person or thing or such persons or things:

   kings, princes, and such.

2. someone or something indicated or exemplified:

   He claims to be a friend but is not such.

such

/ sʌtʃ /

determiner

1. 1. of the sort specified or understood

      such books shouldn't be sold here

   2. ( as pronoun )

      robbers, rapists, and such

      such is life

2. so great; so much

   such a help

   I've never seen such weeping

3. as such
   1. in the capacity previously specified or understood

      a judge as such hasn't so much power

   2. in itself or themselves

      intelligence as such can't guarantee success

4. such and such
   specific, but not known or named

   at such and such a time

5. such as
   1. for example

      animals, such as elephants and tigers

   2. of a similar kind as; like

      people such as your friend John make me angry

   3. of the (usually small) amount, etc

      the food, such as there was, was excellent

6. such that
   so that: used to express purpose or result

   power such that it was effortless

adverb

1. (intensifier)

   such a nice person that I gave him a present

   such nice people

Word History and Origins

Origin of such¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English suilch, such, swulch, Old English swelc, swilc; equivalent to so ¹ + like ¹; cognate with German solch, Old Norse slīkr, Gothic swaleiks

Word History and Origins

Origin of such¹

Old English swilc; related to Old Frisian sālik, Old Norse slīkr, Gothic swaleiks, Old High German sulih

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. such as,
   1. of the kind specified:

      A plan such as you propose will never succeed.

   2. for example:

      He considers quiet pastimes, such as reading and chess, a bore.

2. as such. as ¹( def 28 ).

Example Sentences

There is no such thing as speech so hateful or offensive it somehow “justifies” or “legitimizes” the use of violence.

From The Daily Beast

Such is her burgeoning popularity Toomey is looking to employ more instructors to lead her highly personalized exercise classes.

From The Daily Beast

A few years back, designer John Galliano was fined by the government for sharing just such anti-semitic sentiments in public.

From The Daily Beast

The eating disorder field remains divided over the potential efficacy of such measures.

From The Daily Beast

No one seems to know who that is—or why they would want to do such a thing.

From The Daily Beast

I hate to be long at my toilette at any time; but to delay much in such a matter while travelling is folly.

From Project Gutenberg

We should have to admit that the new law does little or nothing to relieve such a situation.

From Project Gutenberg

That the inconstancy of such notices, in cases equally important, proves they did not proceed from any such agent.

From Project Gutenberg

As such it is now presented to the public for whatever meed of praise or censure it is found to deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet if there is a measure of untruth in such pretty flatteries, one needs to be superhuman in order to condemn them harshly.

From Project Gutenberg