since

¹since

adverb \ˈsin(t)s\

Definition of SINCE

1

: from a definite past time until now <has stayed there ever since>

2

: before the present time : ago <long since dead>

3

: after a time in the past : subsequently <has since become rich>

Examples of SINCE

1. She graduated four years ago and has since married.
2. He left home two years ago and has since become a soldier.

Origin of SINCE

Middle English sins, contraction of sithens, from sithen, from Old English siththan, from sīth tham after that, from sīth after, late + tham, dative of thæt that; akin to Old High German sīd later and perhaps to Latin setius to a lesser degree

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SINCE

Synonyms

agone [archaic], back, ago, syne [chiefly Scottish]

Antonyms

hence

²since

conjunction

Definition of SINCE

1

: at a time in the past after or later than <has held two jobs since he graduated> : from the time in the past when <ever since I was a child>

2

obsolete : when

3

: in view of the fact that : because <since it was raining she took an umbrella>

Examples of SINCE

1. We've played better since you joined the team.
2. He has had two jobs since he graduated.
3. He hasn't ridden a bike since he was a boy.
4. They haven't won a championship since Truman was President.

First Known Use of SINCE

15th century

Related to SINCE

Synonyms

as, as long as, because, being (as or as how or that) [chiefly dialect], 'cause, considering, for, inasmuch as, now, seeing, whereas

Rhymes with SINCE

mince, rinse, wince

³since

preposition

Definition of SINCE

: in the period after a specified time in the past : from a specified time in the past

Examples of SINCE

1. I haven't seen him since yesterday.
2. I haven't eaten since breakfast.
3. Since the party, she has not spoken to him at all.
4. The company has been in its present location since the beginning of the century.
5. We've been waiting for you since 10 o'clock.

First Known Use of SINCE

circa 1530