unless

[uhn-les, uhn-]

conjunction

1. except under the circumstances that.

   I'll be there at nine, unless the train is late.

preposition

1. except; but; save.

   Nothing will come of it, unless disaster.

unless

/ ʌnˈlɛs /

conjunction

1. (subordinating) except under the circumstances that; except on the condition that

   they'll sell it unless he hears otherwise

preposition

1. rare,  except

Word History and Origins

Origin of unless¹

1400–50; late ME prepositional phrase on less (also o less(e) , earlier upon less ) on a lesser footing or condition (than); first used as a preposition and conjunction in the early 16th century; on, less

Word History and Origins

Origin of unless¹

C14: onlesse , from on _on + lesse _less ; compare French à moins que, literally: at less than

Example Sentences

Whatever is decided, there is unlikely to be any movement towards independence unless the SNP retains power at Holyrood.

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In other words, officers in the field must have visible ID unless they are undercover or regularly work in plainclothes.

Read more on Slate

The “Standard” version still has the panoramic glass roof, part of the reason that Weaver thinks it’s the best option for most buyers—unless they want the all-wheel drive Performance trim, which starts at about $55,000.

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Dr. Nweeia also discovered something that was unknown to Europeans but common knowledge among the Inuit, namely, that narwhals won’t show up unless the seawater turns slightly reddish-brown from the presence of young arctic cod, one of the whale’s chief foods.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In classes, I couldn’t retain information unless the teacher was a storyteller.

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