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

So popular were the show's brawls that Springer's head of security, Steve Wilkos, became a celebrity unto himself, resulting in his own talk show that's currently in its 19th season. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026

There are galleries all over Los Angeles, but few can be described as works of art unto themselves. —Lina Lecaro, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Now football is a business empire unto itself that is no longer contained to staging and televising live games. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026

This brand of coming-of-age film is evergreen in the indie film world, and is oftentimes so overflowing with stylistic and narrative clichés that the movies can feel like a genre unto themselves. —Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 27 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