until meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

until

prep

CA, UK /ʌnˈtɪl/ · US /ʌnˈtɪl/

Etymology From Middle English vntil, until, untill, ontil, ontill, perhaps representing a northern variant of Middle English unto (see Modern English unto). By surface analysis, un- (“against; toward; up to”) + till.

Up to the time of (something happening); pending.

If you can wait until after my meeting with her, we'll talk then.
Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:

Up to (a certain place)

Keep walking until the second set of traffic lights, then turn left.

Before (a time).

I was about to say that I had known the Celebrity from the time he wore kilts. But I see I will have to amend that, because he was not a celebrity then, nor, indeed, did he achieve fame until some time after I left New York for the West.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
Across Japan, technology companies and private investors are racing to install devices that until recently they had little interest in: solar panels. Massive solar parks are popping up as part of a rapid build-up that one developer likened to an "explosion."2013 June 21, Chico Harlan, “Japan pockets the subsidy …”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 2, page 30:

Obsolete To; physically towards.

He rousd himselfe full blith, and hastned them untill.1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 4:

Without an object Up to the time that the foods or other things available to sell, or tasks which need to be completed, run out.

Bake sale on Saturday, 2pm until.
A celebration of his life will also be held at Pete's Tavern 16705 Florida Blvd on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 2pm until and at TJ's Lounge 11585 Plank Road on Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 2pm until. He is survived by his children, […]2018, Wilbert Funeral Home, Obituary for Peter James Smith (1937-2018)

2 more examples

Every Friday 2pm-until and Saturday 5pm-until[;] we are located inside the dollar general parking lot2020 August 5, Boutte BBQ (boutte_bbq), post on Instagram
Open Monday to Saturday 4pm – Until and Sunday 12pm - Until. We are conveniently located at: […]2025 July 20, Gauchos Brazilian Steakhouse (gauchosbraziliansteakhouseusa), post on Instagram

Synonyms: till, 'til, up to
Antonyms: since

until

conj

Up to the time that (a condition becomes true).

Not until I got his email did I fully understand his disappointment.
It took us a week before/until we got the house repainted.

2 more examples

It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.[…]. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., →OCLC, page 01:
Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting.2013 July 19, Peter Wilby, “Finland spreads word on schools”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 30:

Before (a condition becoming true).

It is never possible to settle down to the ordinary routine of life at sea until the screw begins to revolve. There is an hour or two, after the passengers have embarked, which is disquieting and fussy.1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:

Synonyms: till, 'til, afore, before, until, unto, while, whilom
Antonyms: since
Derived terms: 28 terms
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