so

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in a manner that facilitates

   I observed the snakes so I could describe their behavior.

2. 2
   adv

   in the way indicated

   hold the brush so

3. 3
   adv

   to a very great extent or degree

   the idea is so obvious

4. 4
   adv

   to an extent or degree as expressed

   I was so tired I could hardly stand.

5. 5
   adv

   in such a condition or manner, especially as expressed or implied

   They're happy and I hope they will remain so

6. 6
   adv

   to a certain unspecified extent or degree

   I can only go so far with this student

7. 7
   conj

   Reduced form of 'so that', used to express purpose; in order that.

   I got an earlier train to work so I'd have plenty of time to prepare for the meeting.

8. 8
   conj

   As a result; for that reason; therefore; because of this; due to this.

   I was hungry, so I asked if there was any more food.

Etymology

From Middle English so, swo, zuo, swa, swe, from Old English swā, swǣ, swē (“so, as, the same, such, that”), from Proto-West Germanic *swā, from Proto-Germanic *swa, *swē (“so”), from Proto-Indo-European *swē, *swō (reflexive pronomial stem). Cognate with Scots sae (“so”), Saterland Frisian so (“so”), West Frisian sa (“so”), Dutch zo (“so”), German Low German so (“so”), German so (“so”), Danish så (“so”), Norwegian Nynorsk so (“so”), Swedish så (“so, such that”), Faroese so (“so”), Icelandic svo (“so”), Old Latin suad (“so”), Albanian sa (“how much, so, as”), Ancient Greek ὡς (hōs, “as”), Urdu…