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.

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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

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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.

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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

When she was ordained in 2009 at age 65, she was hired as the rabbi at the same Morgan Hill synagogue and worked there until 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

It then headed to the top corner of the premises - probably to sleep - concealed under a shelf until the following day.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Rather, it has reduced the balance sheet by waiting until the assets it holds mature and then not reinvesting the proceeds of the maturing assets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

“I highly recommend the ‘decline and recline’ strategy, rejecting unprofitable rides until a better one appears,” wrote Sergio Avedian, a driver, in the popular blog the Rideshare Guy.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Clare nudged her with his snout until she pulled herself onto the log.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman