since
Americanadverb
-
from then till now (often preceded byever ).
He was elected in 1978 and has been president ever since.
-
between a particular past time and the present; subsequently.
She at first refused, but has since consented.
-
before now; ago.
long since.
preposition
-
continuously from or counting from.
It has been warm since noon.
-
between a past time or event and the present.
There have been many changes since the war.
conjunction
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in the period following the time when.
He has written once since he left.
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continuously from or counting from the time when.
He has been busy since he came.
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because; inasmuch as.
Since you're already here, you might as well stay.
preposition
conjunction
-
(sometimes preceded by ever) continuously from or starting from the time when
since we last met, important things have happened
-
seeing that; because
since you have no money, you can't come
adverb
Usage
See as 1.
Etymology
Origin of since
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; see origin at sith, -s 1
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.
Fans of celebrity bald eagle Jackie are again grappling with troubling news about her health, the latest downturn in an uneven recovery since her rescue near Big Bear Lake last month.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
Like many of the more than 300 people who have died in the Everest region since records began a century ago, their bodies remain on the mountain.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
The authorities have since attempted to woo the youth, and parliament has hiked penalties for leaking exam papers.
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
All three major stock indexes rose, with the S&P and Nasdaq capping their best week since April.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
The situation at Santo Tomas has deteriorated at an alarming rate in the three years since Gertie’s capture.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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.
