French word

autant

Pronunciation

IPA/otɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbas many

Example

Il n'y a pas autant de monde aujourd'hui.

There aren't as many people today.

Illustration for autant (as many)

More examples

Elle gagne autant que lui.

She earns as much as he does.

Core concept

A quantity or degree is placed beside another as an equal measure.

Common phrases

  • autant de

    as much ___

  • autant que

    as much as

Similar words

aussi: To the same degree as another person or thing.
tant: To a very large amount or degree.
tellement: To an exceptionally high degree.

Definition in French

Marque que l'action, la qualité ou la quantité d'une chose atteint le même niveau qu'une autre; il se combine fréquemment avec 'de' devant un nom ou 'que' pour la comparaison.

Word origin

Autant developed from Old French au tant, meaning 'to that extent', with tant descended from Latin tantus, 'so much' or 'so great'.

Usage tips

  • Autant de is followed directly by a noun, while autant que introduces a comparison with a person, thing, or clause.

Other meanings

  • as muchadverb
  • that muchadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word