Words / A2

uhn-TIL/ənˈtɪl/

Until draws a line in time: the waiting or the state continues up to that point. Wait until Friday; the shop is open until eight. Till is the informal short form. By means “no later than” (finish by Friday — it can be earlier). Do not use until with a length: wait for ten minutes, not “until ten minutes.”

Meaning

Up to a particular time.

Examples

• “Wait here until I come back.”
• “I’ll be at work until six.”
• “Don’t open your books until I tell you.”

Good to know

until + time/event. Informal: till. No later than: by. Length of time: for.

Near in meaning

till

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