until

American  

[uhn-til] / ʌnˈtɪl /

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 British  

/ 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

until Idioms  

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

---

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

President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that U.S. troops will remain in place in the region until the “REAL AGREEMENT” is in place.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

"Even though I haven't told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along and everything I've told them has been the truth," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

But he has extended his tenure and is now expected to remain in charge until at least 2030.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

An adventurer until the end, Whittaker died Tuesday at his home in Port Townsend, Wash., his son Leif confirmed to the New York Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

It seems he can’t follow through on his threat to not speak to me until I do what he demands.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam