unto

preposition

un·​to ˈən-(ˌ)tü 

1

: to

2

—used as a function word to indicate reference or concern

… they became a world unto themselves.

—Anne T. Fleming

Examples of unto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the newsletter era, each and every publication spawns a community unto itself. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026

Draymond Green was a whole team’s injury report unto himself after spending the previous 48 minutes jostling with 7-foot bruiser Ivica Zubac in Monday’s loss to the Clippers. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Completing the developmental tasks of this phase means developing a sense of a life well lived, a life that is complete unto itself despite its flaws and tragedies. —Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026

The memes, commentary, and speculation became a culture unto itself, a loop of ironic posting, information warring, and commentary on commentary—all before his shooter was identified or Kirk was even pronounced dead. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from un- (as in until) + to to

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unto

preposition

un·​to ˌən-tə 

ˈən-tü

: to entry 1