as long as

∞ 1.0

During the time that something happens or is true

idiom

: mientras

I know that I will be with you as long as you still want me to.
as long as possible
as long as it remains
as long as they continue

But please read as long as the lemon trees grow.

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Examples

Look, you can stay here and rent for as long as you like.

Werewolf Cabal (2022)
It's why I'm here for as long as I get to be here.

Big Think
Spend time together as long as we're able.
And I said, of course, as long as it feels right.
You should be a kid as long as you can.

Danny Jones
Stay as long as you like.

People Like Us (2012)
We are willing to share the tool as long as proper credit is given.

Academic text (2011)
Our troops will stay here as long as the Korean people want and need us here.

Academic text (1999)
As long as you are true to yourself, your father will always be proud of you.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
You can borrow my umbrella as long as you return it tomorrow.

Synonyms

indefinitely

vsas long as

104 4.8

For a time with no set end

allows a chosen or specified duration rather than no limit

Antonyms

never

∞ 1.0

At no time in the past or future, not ever

Surface Forms

as long as main

Morphology

as + long + as

The meaning 'for the duration that' is directly derivable from 'long' (extended time) embedded in the comparative/extent pattern 'as ... as', so a learner who knows the constituents can infer 'as long as' = 'during the time that'. This temporal, compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English usage, making it immediately comprehensible to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The phrase as long as uses long to create a simple picture: imagine a rope that shows how much time something lasts. So, as long as means 'during all the time that' or 'for any duration that'.