Words / C1

hith-uh-TOO/ˌhɪðəˈtuː/

Hitherto means until now, or until the time you mean, in formal prose: hitherto unpublished, hitherto neglected. Previously and until now are everyday; henceforth (not necessarily in this course) points forward; already can overlap. Do not honour a long-standing gap as tradition.

Meaning

Until now, or until the time you are talking about (formal).

Examples

• “Hitherto the night shift had no spare; that is a gap, not a tradition to honour.”
• “Until now is everyday. Previously is a close twin. Formerly (already in the dictionary) is also “before”. Tradition is a claim. A blank on the night rota is a risk. Name it as a gap; then staff it.”

Good to know

Until now (formal). Everyday: until now / previously. Contrast: a tradition (a claim). A long gap is still a gap.

Near in meaning

previously

New