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
-
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.
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.
Since 2022, food prices have jumped nearly 20%.
From Salon • Jul. 2, 2026
Since joining from Newcastle two years ago for £35m, Anderson has become a crucial player for Forest and has started every game for Thomas Tuchel at the World Cup.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
Since the change is relatively unprecedented, servicers don’t know what kind of staffing levels they’ll need to respond to borrowers’ calls, Buchanan said.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
Since rates are still so much lower in Japan than elsewhere, lots of local savings have migrated abroad.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026
Since then, since that afternoon — on the bus, at night before bed — I had begun to think of ways I could save her life.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
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.
