since

[ sins ]

adverb

1. from then till now (often preceded by ever ):

   He was elected in 1978 and has been president ever since.

2. between a particular past time and the present; subsequently:

   She at first refused, but has since consented.

3. before now; ago:

   long since.

preposition

1. continuously from or counting from:

   It has been warm since noon.

2. between a past time or event and the present:

   There have been many changes since the war.

conjunction

1. in the period following the time when:

   He has written once since he left.

2. continuously from or counting from the time when:

   He has been busy since he came.

3. because; inasmuch as:

   Since you're already here, you might as well stay.

since

/ sɪns /

preposition

1. during or throughout the period of time after

   since May it has only rained once

conjunction

1. sometimes preceded by ever continuously from or starting from the time when

   since we last met, important things have happened

2. seeing that; because

   since you have no money, you can't come

adverb

1. since that time

   he left yesterday and I haven't seen him since

Usage Note

See as ¹.

Usage

See ago

Word History and Origins

Origin of since¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English (adverb) syns, sinnes “thereupon, afterwards,” Middle English (adverb and conjunction) sithenes “afterwards, from (the specified time), because,” equivalent to sithen “after that, since” ( Old English siththan, originally sīth thām “after that”) + -es; sith, -s ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of since¹

Old English sīththan, literally: after that; related to Old High German sīd since, Latin sērus late

Idioms and Phrases

see greatest thing since sliced bread .

Example Sentences

In August, Trump filed a lawsuit to have his name removed from the casino and from the nearby, since-closed Trump Plaza.

From The Daily Beast

One, of course, is the long-since established State of Israel.

From The Daily Beast

But U.S. governments of both parties long-since opposed settlements, and the speech was far from combative.

From The Daily Beast

Obviously the 16 words [the since-discredited claim that Saddam tried to buy uranium] were bogus.

From The Daily Beast

Aunt Gretchen has long-since lost the smooth silhouette for which the Nicholas women are noted.

From Project Gutenberg

She drew Esmay after her down the draughty passage that led to the offices of the long-since-deserted dwelling-house.

From Project Gutenberg

The long-since dismantled Abbey of Lanercost had its origin in a tragedy.

From Project Gutenberg

How can we reasonably expect that the road back to our long-since forsaken God is to be smooth, pleasant, velvet-covered.

From Project Gutenberg

Since-355- thou must become as mortals are, and the slave of man, I will guard thee from all but the brave.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• afterward
• ago
• already
• later
• therefore