until

UK: /ʌnˈtɪl/ US: /ʌnˈtɪl/ ,(un til′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•til /ʌnˈtɪl/   conj. 

1. up to the time that or when;
   till:
   Wait until it starts getting dark.
2. before:
   [usually used with a negative word or phrase] I didn't remember it until the meeting was over.

prep. 

3. onward to or till (a certain time or occurrence):
   to work until 6
   p.m.
4. before:
   [usually used with a negative word or phrase] He did not go until noon.

Usage

Compare until, to, and by. The word until is used in expressions of time to mean "the time up to (a certain point):''
to work until 6.
She stayed inside until noon.
The word to can be used like until with expressions of time with from:
They worked from noon until (or to) six.
We use by, not until, when referring to an action that will occur no later than a future time:
Will the hot water be turned back on by tomorrow?
To refer to a continuing state that stops at a certain time, we use until:
You'll have to wait until next week for the hot water.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•til  (un til′), conj. 

1. up to the time that or when;
   till:
   He read until his guests arrived.
2. before (usually used in negative constructions):
   They did not come until the meeting was half over.

prep. 

3. onward to or till (a specified time or occurrence):
   She worked until 6
   p.m.
4. before (usually used in negative constructions):
   He did not go until night.
5. [Scot. and North Eng.] to;
   unto.

• Old Norse unz up to, as far as) + till till¹
• Middle English untill, equivalent. to un- (1150–1200

Usage

See till ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

until / ʌnˈtɪl/ conjunction (subordinating)

1. up to (a time) that: he laughed until he cried
2. (used with a negative) before (a time or event): until you change, you can't go out

preposition

1. (often preceded by up) in or throughout the period before: he waited until six
2. (used with a negative) earlier than; before: he won't come until tomorrow

Etymology: 13th Century untill; related to Old High German unt unto, until, Old Norse und; see till¹USAGE
The use of until such time as (as in industrial action will continue until such time as our demands are met) is unnecessary and should be avoided: industrial action will continue until our demands are met