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
Anne T. Fleming
Examples of unto in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The platform shares this information in fun and visual ways, and it’s become almost a holiday unto itself in its own way.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
In its most ecstatic moments, Renaissance feels like a spiritual experience unto itself.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2023
On Instagram, jokes about poor housing affordability are a genre unto themselves.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023
Made up of more than 30,000 islands across 650 square miles, and ranging in size from boulders to islands large enough to house a village, the islands in the Stockholm Archipelago are a world unto themselves.
—Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2023
There, on party nights, a bouncer might be stationed, to make sure that only the most soigné are permitted upstairs, which is a whole scene unto itself: guest d.j.s, bottle service, sparklers.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2023
Her Mollie is almost a land unto herself, shadowed by passing, shape-shifting clouds.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2023
While ultimately a novel about friendship and acceptance, the passages where Tokue lovingly prepares the sweet bean paste shine, making dorayaki a main character unto itself.
—Sonia Chopra, Bon Appétit, 18 Oct. 2023
Hezbollah also operates within the hybrid structure of the sectarian system by playing an integral part in the government but also by functioning as a state unto itself.
—Asher Kaufman, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2023
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Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
In its most ecstatic moments, Renaissance feels like a spiritual experience unto itself.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2023
On Instagram, jokes about poor housing affordability are a genre unto themselves.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023
Made up of more than 30,000 islands across 650 square miles, and ranging in size from boulders to islands large enough to house a village, the islands in the Stockholm Archipelago are a world unto themselves.
—Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2023
There, on party nights, a bouncer might be stationed, to make sure that only the most soigné are permitted upstairs, which is a whole scene unto itself: guest d.j.s, bottle service, sparklers.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2023
Her Mollie is almost a land unto herself, shadowed by passing, shape-shifting clouds.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2023
While ultimately a novel about friendship and acceptance, the passages where Tokue lovingly prepares the sweet bean paste shine, making dorayaki a main character unto itself.
—Sonia Chopra, Bon Appétit, 18 Oct. 2023
Hezbollah also operates within the hybrid structure of the sectarian system by playing an integral part in the government but also by functioning as a state unto itself.
—Asher Kaufman, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unto.' 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
Middle English, probably from un- (as in until) + to to
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of unto was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near unto
Cite this Entry
“Unto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unto. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
unto
preposition
un·to
ˌən-tə
ˈən-tü
More from Merriam-Webster on unto
Britannica English: Translation of unto for Arabic Speakers
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