yet
Americanadverb
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at the present time; now.
Don't go yet. Are they here yet?
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up to a particular time; thus far.
They had not yet come.
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in the time still remaining; before all is done.
There is yet time.
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from the preceding time; as previously; still.
He came here on a vacation 20 years ago, and he is here yet.
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in addition; again.
The mail brought yet another reply.
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I've never read it nor yet intend to.
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even; still (used to emphasize a comparative).
a yet milder tone;
yet greater power.
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though the case be such; nevertheless.
strange and yet very true.
conjunction
idioms
adverb
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(usually used with a negative or interrogative) so far; up until then or now
they're not home yet
is it teatime yet?
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(often preceded by just; usually used with a negative) now (as contrasted with later)
we can't stop yet
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(often used with a comparative) even; still
yet more potatoes for sale
yet another problem family
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eventually, in spite of everything
we'll convince him yet
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so far; up until then or now
Usage
What are other ways to say yet?
Yet implies the chance of a different outcome in spite of something mentioned prior. When is it best to use yet instead of but, nevertheless, however, or still? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Etymology
Origin of yet
First recorded before 900; Middle English yet(e) (adverb and conjunction), Old English gīet(a) (adverb); cognate with Middle High German ieze “yet, now” ( German jetzt “now”)
Explanation
Yet can introduce a contrast, refer to the future, or to something that you need more of. You can like a class, yet feel it's too hard. You may need to study hard yet again to try to pass a re-test. And even if an exam hasn't happened yet, you might worry it will be a disaster. Yet is often used like but when connecting two ideas that contrast — as in, "I love apples, yet I hate applesauce." When yet is not being used as a contrast, it means "more" or "in the future" (which is really just more time). If you've been rehearsing for the school play for weeks, but still don't know your lines, you'll need yet more rehearsals if it's going to be a success.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yet when heat is examined at distances far smaller than the width of a human hair, it can behave in unexpected ways.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
Yet he’s not just an incredible asset just because of his late-game buckets—it’s also because of his relatively cheap salary.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Yet in 2023, just three judicial law clerks filed complaints under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026
Yet in recent years, mistrust has strained ties.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
Yet here I was, in a tree, waiting for Regan to finish prying the window open.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
