English Explanatory Dictionary

unless

English dictionary entry

Meanings

conj
  1. Except on a specified condition; if not.
  2. If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.
  3. Except if; used with hypothetical conditionals.

Pronunciation

/ənˈlɛs/ /ʌnˈlɛs/ /ʊnˈlɛs/ /ɪnˈlɛs/ en-us-unless.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-unless.wav

Word forms

unless unlesse unlessen

Etymology

From Middle English unlesse, earlier on lesse (modern on + less), from (not) on lesse (than) (“(not) on a less compelling condition (than)”). The quality of negation in the word and the lack of stress changed on to un-.

Antonyms

if

Derived words

precisely unless unlesss unless and until until and unless
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