until
Americanconjunction
-
up to the time that or when; till.
He read until his guests arrived.
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before (usually used in negative constructions).
They did not come until the meeting was half over.
preposition
-
onward to or till (a specified time or occurrence).
She worked until 6 p.m.
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before (usually used in negative constructions).
He did not go until night.
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Scot. and North England. to; unto.
conjunction
-
up to (a time) that
he laughed until he cried
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(used with a negative) before (a time or event)
until you change, you can't go out
preposition
-
(often preceded by up) in or throughout the period before
he waited until six
-
(used with a negative) earlier than; before
he won't come until tomorrow
Usage
The use of until such time as (as in industrial action will continue until such time as our demands are met ) is unnecessary and should be avoided: industrial action will continue until our demands are met
Commonly Confused
See till 1.
Etymology
Origin of until
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English untill, from un- (from Old Norse unz “up to, as far as”) + till till 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.
The cognitive and emotional weight of it accumulates until something breaks.
From Salon • May 24, 2026
Tinsley held the Knights hitless until the fourth inning when she gave up three singles.
From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026
Not believing police had really found it, she asked for a copy, but was told she could not have it until the end of the investigation.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
Busch, who died on Thursday at the age of 41, was a two-time Cup Series champion and had until recently been slated to race in Charlotte this weekend.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
Now instead of wanting the day to end, I prayed that we would stay where we were until dark.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
