since

[ sins ]

/ sɪns /

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See synonyms for since on Thesaurus.com

Definition of since

adverb

from then till now (often preceded by ever): 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

in the period following the time when: He has written once since he left.

continuously from or counting from the time when: He has been busy since he came.

because; inasmuch as: Since you're already here, you might as well stay.

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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, -s¹

usage note for since

8. See as¹.

Words nearby since

sinapism, Sinarquist, Sinatra, Sinbad, sin bin, since, Sincelejo, sincere, sincerely, sincerity, sincipital presentation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say since?

The conjunction since means “because” or “inasmuch as.” How is it different from because, as, for, and inasmuch as? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use since in a sentence

In August, Trump filed a lawsuit to have his name removed from the casino and from the nearby, since-closed Trump Plaza.
I Watched a Casino Kill Itself: The Awful Last Nights of Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal|Olivia Nuzzi|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One, of course, is the long-since established State of Israel.
U.N. Adds New Name: "State of Palestine"|Ali Gharib|December 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But U.S. governments of both parties long-since opposed settlements, and the speech was far from combative.
"Is John Kerry Good For Israel?"|Ali Gharib|December 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Obviously the 16 words [the since-discredited claim that Saddam tried to buy uranium] were bogus.
Bush's Biggest Critics Gun for Obama|Lloyd Grove|October 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Aunt Gretchen has long-since lost the smooth silhouette for which the Nicholas women are noted.
"And That's How It Was, Officer"|Ralph Sholto
She drew Esmay after her down the draughty passage that led to the offices of the long-since-deserted dwelling-house.
The Doomsman|Van Tassel Sutphen
The long-since dismantled Abbey of Lanercost had its origin in a tragedy.
Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland|Daniel Scott
How can we reasonably expect that the road back to our long-since forsaken God is to be smooth, pleasant, velvet-covered.
The Prodigal Returns|Lilian Staveley
Since-355- thou must become as mortals are, and the slave of man, I will guard thee from all but the brave.
Operas Every Child Should Know|Mary Schell Hoke Bacon

British Dictionary definitions for since

since

/ (sɪns) /

preposition

during or throughout the period of time aftersince May it has only rained once

conjunction (subordinating)

(sometimes preceded by ever) continuously from or starting from the time whensince we last met, important things have happened

seeing that; becausesince you have no money, you can't come

adverb

since that timehe left yesterday and I haven't seen him since

Word Origin for since

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

undefined since

See ago

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with since

since

see greatest thing since sliced bread.

since

Definition of since

Origin of since

usage note for since

Words nearby since

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say since?

Words related to since

How to use since in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for since

Word Origin for since

undefined since

Other Idioms and Phrases with since