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until

/ənˈtɪl/
conjunctionpreposition★Beginner💡 up to the time that
general

up to the time that something happens

She studied until midnight.

Her studying continued until midnight.

The store is open until 9 PM.

The store's operating hours extend until 9 PM.

💡

Often used to indicate a deadline or endpoint in time.

general

not before a specified time

You can't leave until you finish your homework.

Departure is not allowed before homework is completed.

💡

Emphasizes that an action or event must wait until a condition is met.

Collocations

until further noticefor an indefinite period, subject to changeuntil the endcontinuing to the very last momentuntil nowup to the present moment

Synonyms

up totillas far asto the time that

Antonyms

sincefromafter

Related Phrases

until further noticephrase
for an indefinite period, subject to change
until the cows come homeidiom
for a very long time

💡Pro Tip

Conjunction vs. Preposition

'Until' can function as a conjunction (e.g., 'Wait until I call you') or a preposition (e.g., 'Stay here until noon').

⚡Gold Rule

Time Reference

'Until' always refers to a point in time, not a duration. Use 'for' to indicate duration (e.g., 'for two hours').

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'untill', from Old English 'on til' (on to).

📝Usage Notes

Can be used as both a conjunction and a preposition. Often interchangeable with 'till' in informal contexts.

Word Breakdown

un-
not
prefix
+
-til
to
root
English Dictionary

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