since

American  

[sins] / sɪns /

adverb

1. from then till now (often preceded byever ).

   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 British  

/ 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

since Idioms  

1. see greatest thing since sliced bread.

---

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; sith, -s ¹

Example Sentences

While Minute Media did not reveal early viewership figures, the company said the audience for the channel has grown 60% since its launch.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

The large bronze work, called 'Struggles and Triumphs', has been loaned to Longleat Safari Park by the rock musician - who has been painting and drawing since he was 12 years old.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Institute told AFP he is not expecting any earth-shattering discoveries because of the multiple lunar probes and high-resolution images of the Moon taken since the Apollo missions.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

The Russell 1000 Value Index is up 2.4% so far this year, beating the Russell 1000 Growth Index, which is down 9.1%, by the largest margin since 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Clare had not set foot in the forest across the street since he’d un-died.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• afterward
• ago
• already
• later
• therefore