unto
Americanpreposition
-
to (in its various uses, except as the accompaniment of the infinitive).
-
until; till.
preposition
Etymology
Origin of unto
1250–1300; Middle English, equivalent to un ( till ) until + to to
Compare meaning
How does unto compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
His message was clear: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
Becket thus became a martyr for the idea that you don’t render unto Caesar the things that are God’s.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026
SpaceX is a law unto itself at this point, rising irrespective of whether the broader technology sector is having a good day.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
The case would force the tech giants to take "accountability", she said, adding that she thought "these companies are a law unto their own".
From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026
Then solemnly pressing pinky upon pinky, she said, “Swear unto death that it will be our secret no matter what.”
From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord
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.
