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.
It has since grown to thousands of attendees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Public attitudes towards keeping whales in captivity have also changed drastically since Marineland opened in 1961.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
“We unfortunately know how that feels,” he said, before pointing out that KKR stock has since soared.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Dozens of people, mainly police, have been injured in the clashes since Tuesday, according to authorities.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
This was unprecedented at the time, since Hans didn’t have Hansen’s disease.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
