until

[ uhn-til ]

conjunction

1. up to the time that or when; till:

   He read until his guests arrived.

2. before (usually used in negative constructions):

   They did not come until the meeting was half over.

preposition

1. onward to or till (a specified time or occurrence):

   She worked until 6 p.m.

2. before (usually used in negative constructions):

   He did not go until night.

3. Scot. and North England. to; unto.

until

/ ʌnˈtɪl /

conjunction

1. up to (a time) that

   he laughed until he cried

2. used with a negative before (a time or event)

   until you change, you can't go out

preposition

1. often preceded by up in or throughout the period before

   he waited until six

2. 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

Confusables Note

See till ¹.

Word History and Origins

Origin of until¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English untill, from un- (from Old Norse unz “up to, as far as”) + till till ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of until¹

C13 untill; related to Old High German unt unto, until, Old Norse und; see till ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see put off until tomorrow ; talk one's arm off (until blue in the face) . Also see under till .

Example Sentences

It may be fun and it may get them paid, until oversaturation ruins our sense for irony and destroys the market for it.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, the free speech exhibited by the folks at Charlie Hebdo was not virtuous—until there was a body count.

From The Daily Beast

That would truly be a milestone to celebrate—until you see what that record “diversity” actually means.

From The Daily Beast

At the time (and until 1913), U.S. senators were not popularly elected but were selected by the state legislature.

From The Daily Beast

Their leader, Njie, still going by “Dave” during the operation, would stay a safe distance away until the State House was secure.

From The Daily Beast

The plant as a whole remains green until late in the autumn.

From Project Gutenberg

He didn't need to wait—as the birds did—until an angleworm stuck his head above ground.

From Project Gutenberg

No man should regard the subject of religion as decided for him until he has read The Golden Bough.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is a chair, Monsieur Arden; but you can hardly see it until your eyes have grown a little accustomed to our crpuscula.

From Project Gutenberg

Aguinaldo withheld his decision until Paterno could report to him the definite opinions of his generals.

From Project Gutenberg