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

Examples of unless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

What's not allowed: No visitors are permitted for COVID-19 patients unless there are extenuating circumstances. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 9 June 2020

June 4 also coincides with the final day that the Hong Kong government is enforcing social-distancing rules -- unless there are any extensions -- that bar gatherings of more than eight people. —Natalie Lung, Bloomberg.com, 7 June 2020

The Plano department also bans any neck restraint unless lives are at risk. —Cassandra Jaramillo, Dallas News, 5 June 2020

With schools and the senior center closed because of the virus, children and older people who normally ate at those places would have to go without unless town officials did something. —AZCentral.com, 5 June 2020

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