yet
Americanadverb
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at the present time; now.
Don't go yet. Are they here yet?
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up to a particular time; thus far.
They had not yet come.
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in the time still remaining; before all is done.
There is yet time.
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from the preceding time; as previously; still.
He came here on a vacation 20 years ago, and he is here yet.
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in addition; again.
The mail brought yet another reply.
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I've never read it nor yet intend to.
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even; still (used to emphasize a comparative).
a yet milder tone;
yet greater power.
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though the case be such; nevertheless.
strange and yet very true.
conjunction
idioms
adverb
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(usually used with a negative or interrogative) so far; up until then or now
they're not home yet
is it teatime yet?
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(often preceded by just; usually used with a negative) now (as contrasted with later)
we can't stop yet
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(often used with a comparative) even; still
yet more potatoes for sale
yet another problem family
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eventually, in spite of everything
we'll convince him yet
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so far; up until then or now
Usage
What are other ways to say yet?
Yet implies the chance of a different outcome in spite of something mentioned prior. When is it best to use yet instead of but, nevertheless, however, or still? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Etymology
Origin of yet
First recorded before 900; Middle English yet(e) (adverb and conjunction), Old English gīet(a) (adverb); cognate with Middle High German ieze “yet, now” ( German jetzt “now”)
Explanation
Yet can introduce a contrast, refer to the future, or to something that you need more of. You can like a class, yet feel it's too hard. You may need to study hard yet again to try to pass a re-test. And even if an exam hasn't happened yet, you might worry it will be a disaster. Yet is often used like but when connecting two ideas that contrast — as in, "I love apples, yet I hate applesauce." When yet is not being used as a contrast, it means "more" or "in the future" (which is really just more time). If you've been rehearsing for the school play for weeks, but still don't know your lines, you'll need yet more rehearsals if it's going to be a success.
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.
Yet most theoretical models have struggled to produce the large, ordered magnetic structures that astronomers actually observe in space.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
Yet each transaction saves time, and time is limited.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
Yet it simultaneously professes anxiety about an Asian American who has decidedly not stood apart from American institutions and culture: After graduating from Yale Law School, Wang clerked for two Supreme Court justices.
From Slate • May 26, 2026
Yet the biggest thing to remember, economists say, is that neither the sentiment nor confidence survey is a reliable tool to figure out how much Americans are going to spend.
From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026
Yet when he shouted, "Go, driver, go!" and the dogs lunged forward, I lost my footing but held tight to the handlebar.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
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.
