until

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

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

   If you can wait until after my meeting with her, we'll talk then.

2. 2
   prep

   Up to (a certain place)

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

3. 3
   prep

   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.

4. 4
   prep

   To; physically towards.

   He rousd himselfe full blith, and hastned them untill.

5. 5
   prep

   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.

6. 6
   conj

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

   Not until I got his email did I fully understand his disappointment.

7. 7
   conj

   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.

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.