WordGarden.iountil
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌntˈɪl/
US
- /ənˈtɪl/
Meanings
Preposition
up to a stated time or temporal endpoint
Conjunction
up to the time when something happens
Beyond the definition
"Until" marks the point in time when something stops or when something else finally happens. You might work until five o'clock, read until you fall asleep, or wait until your favorite show starts. It's like drawing a line on the calendar: things continue up to that line, but not beyond it. Think of a promise: "I will love you until the stars burn out!" A bit dramatic, perhaps, but it shows how the word sets an ending point.
The word "until" shows that something continues up to a specific time or event. It's a little like setting a timer: something keeps happening until that timer goes off. But it can also describe a condition. You might say, "I won't leave until I find my keys," meaning your departure depends on finding them.
"Until" isn't just about the clock, though; it can also show a limit or finishing point. A gardener might nurture seedlings until they are strong enough to be planted outside. A chef might simmer a sauce until it reaches the right consistency. It is often used in promises, threats, or conditions: "I will wait until you apologize," or "The store won't open until 9 AM."
Technically, "until" acts as both a preposition and a conjunction, linking ideas to show that one thing continues while another is still pending. For example, "She studied diligently until the exam was over." It's a small word with a big job: it defines limits, sets conditions, and marks the end point of an action while showing that it kept going up to that point.
Examples
- 1
Closing time
The store is open until 9 tonight.
- 2
Waiting
We waited until the rain stopped.
- 3
Permission period
You can stay here until your sister comes back.
- 4
Sequence control
Don't send the email until you've checked it one more time.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Delayed knowledge
I didn't know the results until this morning.
- Patternnot ... until
something happens only after that time
- 6
Persistence
He kept calling until someone answered.
- 7
Recent past
Until recently, I had never lived alone.
- Phraseuntil recently
up to a short time ago
- 8
Uncertain timing
I won't know for sure until tomorrow.
- 9
Interim plans
Until then, let's keep our plans flexible.
- Phraseuntil then
before that time arrives
- 10
Formal emphasis
Not until years later did she tell me what really happened.
- Usagenot until ... did ...
a more formal way to emphasize the time
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- untilprepositionconjunction