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.
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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.
Last week, South Korea's president proposed talks with its northern neighbour on officially ending the war between the two that is technically still active since an armistice was signed in 1953.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
The superhero film fronted by Tom Holland and real-life wife Zendaya has brought in more than $2 billion globally since its July 31 release, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
Judge Rudofsky, 47, has sat on the court in the Eastern District of Arkansas since Mr. Trump put him there in 2019.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ABC’s “This Week” that morale aboard the Lincoln has improved since sailors learned they will finally be coming home.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
The United States, which has occupied the Philippines since the Spanish-American War in 1898, is one of those enemies.
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.
