since
Americanadverb
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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
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continuously from or counting from.
It has been warm since noon.
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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
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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.
Carvalho had been sidelined since the FBI raided his home and office in connection to an ongoing investigation.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026
The metal has dropped more than 22% since the Middle East conflict began at the end of February, they say.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026
Oliveira is coming from JDE Peet’s, the coffee and tea company, where he has been CEO since 2024.
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
It suggests that NI has done better since 2021 with payrolls growing by nearly 10% compared to a UK average of around 7%.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
ONE month had gone by since Don Quixote had come back home, and his friends still had not seen him.
From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios
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.
