unless

1 of 2

conjunction

un·​less ən-ˈles How to pronounce unless (audio)
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 See all Example Sentences for unless 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unless was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unless

Cite this Entry

“Unless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unless. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

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

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