Unless: meaning, definitions and examples
⛔️
unless
[ ʌnˈlɛs ]
conditional
Except if; on the condition that not
Synonyms
except if, if not
Examples of usage
- Unless you finish your homework, you can't go out to play.
- I won't go to the party unless you come with me.
negation
Used to introduce a clause which is the negative condition for the main clause
Synonyms
except if, if not
Examples of usage
- I will not go to the store unless you come with me.
- She will not eat the cake unless it is gluten-free.
Translations
Translations of the word "unless" in other languages:
🇵🇹 a menos que
🇮🇳 जब तक
🇩🇪 es sei denn
🇮🇩 kecuali jika
🇺🇦 якщо не
🇵🇱 chyba że
🇯🇵 〜でなければ
🇫🇷 à moins que
🇪🇸 a menos que
🇹🇷 olmadıkça
🇰🇷 않으면
🇸🇦 إلا إذا
🇨🇿 pokud ne
🇸🇰 pokiaľ nie
🇨🇳 除非
🇸🇮 razen če
🇮🇸 nema
🇰🇿 егер
🇬🇪 თუ არა
🇦🇿 əgər
🇲🇽 a menos que
Word origin
The word 'unless' originated from Middle English, combining the words 'un-' (meaning 'not') and 'less' (meaning 'to a smaller extent'). The use of 'unless' as a conjunction to express a condition dates back to the 15th century. Over time, it has become a commonly used word in English language to introduce a negative condition for an action or event.
See also: less, lessee, lessen, lessened, lessening, lesser, lesson, lessons, lessor.