WordGarden.iounto
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈʌntʊ/
US
- /ˈəntu/
Meanings
Preposition
to; toward; in relation to
Beyond the definition
"Unto" feels like a word from an old storybook, doesn't it? It is an older way of saying "to" or "toward," often used in formal writing, poetry, and especially religious texts. Think of the King James Bible: you will find "unto" throughout it. We do not use it much in everyday conversation now, but understanding it opens the door to classic literature and can add a formal tone to writing when used on purpose. You might say, "He gave his heart unto her," instead of "to her" for a more dramatic effect. It can also show direction or the person receiving something, as in the famous phrase, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's."
"Unto" is an archaic preposition meaning "to" or "toward." In some contexts, it also means something like "for" or "in relation to the one receiving something." While it has mostly been replaced by the simpler "to" in modern English, it still carries a sense of tradition and formality, so it appears often in older texts, especially religious writing, poetry, and other literary works.
Its use is not wrong today, but it sounds very formal, poetic, or old-fashioned. Using "unto" can create a feeling of reverence, age, or deliberate style. For example, instead of saying "I dedicate this song to you," someone might say, "I dedicate this song unto you."
Historically, "unto" was more than just a fancy version of "to." It often pointed to movement toward something, a reaching of a limit, or a full giving over. You can see this in phrases like "faithful unto death," where the idea is that the faithfulness continues all the way to the end. It also appears in expressions of honor, such as "all glory be unto God," where it directs praise to the one receiving it.
While you are unlikely to hear someone say "I am going unto the store" in casual conversation, recognizing and understanding "unto" is useful when reading older literature and can add an old-world tone to writing when the occasion calls for it. It is a small word with a long history.
Examples
- 1
Religious language
And the angel said unto her, "Fear not."
- Usage
unto is common in old, literary, or religious language; modern English usually uses to
- 2
Moral rule
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
- Phrasedo unto others
treat other people in the same way you want them to treat you
- 3
Poetic time
They worked from dawn unto dusk to finish the harvest.
- Usagefrom dawn unto dusk
a poetic way to say "from early morning until evening"
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unto