unless

1 of 2

conjunction

un·​less ən-ˈles 

ˈən-ˌles

1

: except on the condition that : under any other circumstance than

2

: without the accompanying circumstance or condition that : but that : but

unless

2 of 2

preposition

: except possibly : except

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

Middle English unlesse, alteration of onlesse, from on + lesse less

First Known Use

Conjunction

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

circa 1532, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unless

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

unless

conjunction

un·​less

ən-ˌles,

ˌən-,

 in some contexts  ᵊn-,

ᵊm-,

 or  ᵊŋ-

: except on the condition that : if not

she will fail unless she works harder