sincesince /sɪns/ ●●● S1 W1 preposition, conjunction, adverb 
We’ve been waiting here since two o’clock. I haven’t played rugby since I left university. She left London ten years ago, and I haven’t seen her since. The factory has been here since the 1970s. It was exactly five years since her father had died. Since the end of the war, over five thousand prisoners have been released. He lost his job five years ago, but has since found other work. I left school in 1995, and since then I’ve lived in London.ever since (=all the time since) We’ve been friends ever since we were at school together. She’s been terrified of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash. We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since.2used to give the reason for something: Since you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.► see thesaurus at because3since when? spoken used in questions to show that you are very surprised or angry: Since when have you been interested in my feelings?4long since if something has long since happened, it happened a long time ago: I’ve long since forgiven her for what she did.GRAMMAR: Comparisonsince• You use since with a time, year, date, or other point in time: · He has been living in England since 2008.· We’ve known about it since May.• Don’t use since with a period of time. ✗Don’t say: He has been living in England since 12 years.• You use the present perfect before since: · I have liked him since we first met.· We’ve been driving since six this morning. ✗Don’t say: I like him since we first met.• You also use the past perfect before since: · She had been waiting since five o’clock. ✗Don’t say: She was waiting since five o’clock.• You use the simple past tense after since: · He has grown since I last saw him.for• You use for with a period of time: · I’ve known him for ten years.· We’ve been waiting for hours.
WORD ORIGINsince
Origin:
Old English siththan, from sith tham ‘since that’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Sarah's been sick since Friday.
- Unemployment is now at its lowest point since World War II.
THESAURUS
conjunction used when giving the reason for something: · I went home because I was tired.· The streets were flooded because of all the rain.
preposition used to give the reason why something has happened. Due to and owing to are more formal than because: · The delay was due to a problem with the ship’s engines.· The parade had to be cancelled owing to bad weather.
preposition because of something. Through is used especially when saying why someone succeeded or failed to do something: · They won the game, more through luck than skill.· You failed that test through carelessness.
preposition used when explaining that something good has happened because of someone’s efforts, or because something exists: · Thanks to modern medicine, the disease can now be cured.
conjunction used when giving the reason why someone decides to do something or decides that something is true: · We decided to go to the beach since it was a nice day.· I thought Kevin was out as his car wasn’t there.
preposition because of a particular feeling or quality: · He started reading the book out of curiosity.· I only asked out of politeness.
Longman Language Activatornot having a lot of decoration or things added all the time from a time, date, year or event in the past until now: · I've had this car since 1992.· She hasn't had a night out since she had the baby.· The turkey must be done by now - it's been in the oven since 11 o'clock.· I saw her early this morning, but I haven't seen her since.since when (=how long?): · Since when have you had a computer?since doing something: · Since leaving the army, he's spent most of his time looking for a job.since then: · He arrived in Hollywood back in 1952. Since then he's appeared in over 100 movies.
since a time, date, or event a long time ago: · I've been getting these pains in my back ever since I fell down the stairs.· He's been acting different ever since his arrest.· Joan had been an early riser ever since she was a child.· Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a dancer.· Matt moved to San Francisco in 1984 to go to medical school, and he's been there ever since.ever since then: · I started an exercise program five years ago, and ever since then I've felt a lot better.
during the whole of a period of time until now: · Omar's been studying English for two years now.· We've been waiting here for over two hours!· Daniel's been complaining of a stomach ache for a couple of days.for a while (=for a fairly long time): · I hadn't seen Tim for a while, and I was surprised by how much weight he'd gained.
continuously after a particular time in the past: · From the first time we met, I knew we would be good friends.right from: · Timmy Connell has been a problem in class right from the beginning of term.from then on (=from a time already mentioned): · We had a big fight that fall, and from then on he never treated me the same.
continuously after an exact time or important event in the past: · Benson became chairman of the company on October 12th, and starting from that day things have steadily improved.
when something has always happened or always been true · I've always admired Sean Connery.· Sylvia has always hated her nose.
during all the time that you can remember: · The Watsons have lived on our street for as long as I can remember.· The recipe is one that my mom has been making for as long as I can remember.
use this to emphasize that something has always happened or someone has always done something: · The Agaw people have inhabited that region since time immemorial.
from the beginning · Tell me everything that happened, from the beginning.· Their marriage has been in trouble from the start.right from the beginning/start (=from the very earliest time) · Right from the start I could tell she didn't like me.· Mark felt very comfortable in his new job, right from the beginning.from start to finish (=from the beginning to the end) · This project has been a complete nightmare from start to finish.
informal from the beginning - used especially when something has happened or existed continuously since the beginning: · Eva's been very supportive from the word go.· The Elfin Theatre Company was doomed to failure from the word go.
if something has been the situation or has been someone's purpose since or from day one , it has clearly been the situation or their purpose ever since the beginning: · From day one I knew we'd have a strong team this year.· We've opposed this amendment since day one and we'd be stupid to change our minds now.
from the time when a continuing activity or process began: · The new group had, from the outset, campaigned for an improvement in childcare provision.· I was determined from the outset to make the most of going to university.
how long something continues use this to ask about or talk about how many minutes, hours, days, or years something continues for: · How long have you been waiting?· I don't know how long the repair will last, but it should get you home.· How long are you going to be in the bathroom?· How long have you two known each other?· So how long did you live on Long Island?
use this to say how long something continues: for an hour/two days/a long time etc: · "How long did you live in Spain?" "Oh, for about three years."· We seem to have been waiting for ages.· We talked for a while.· Omar's been learning English for two years now.· I only worked there for three months.
all the time from a time or event in the past until now: · I've had this car since 1992.· I've been smoking since I was 14.· Graham's become a lot more confident since he finished his training.· I saw her this morning, but I haven't seen her since.ever since: · Jack has had a fascination with cars ever since he was four.· They bought the caravan last summer, and they've had trouble with it ever since.
also till especially spoken if something happens until or till a time or event, it continues and then stops at that time or event: · David worked as a teacher until 1989.· I'll be at home until 5:30 if you want to phone me.· She polished the car until it shone.· I didn't learn to drive until I was 31.· The library's only open till five on Saturdays.· Just wait till I've finished my coffee.
also from ... till ... especially spoken use this to say that something starts happening at one time or event and continues until another time or event: · I have a class Monday from five o'clock till eight o'clock at night.· I lived there from the age of 14 until I went to college.· Max edited the paper from 1950 until he retired in 1989.
use this to say that something starts at a particular time and stops at a later time: from May to September/from 9 am to 5 pm etc: · Eisenhower was President from 1952 to 1956.· I'm going to use the computer lab from eight to ten Friday morning.· My plan is to train seriously from January to July.
American: May through September/Monday through Friday etc starting in May and continuing until September, starting on Monday and continuing until and including Friday, etc: · The store is open Monday through Saturday.· "When will you be away?" "The 17th through the 19th."
written starting on Monday and continuing until and including Friday, starting at 6 o'clock and continuing until 8 o'clock etc - used on signs and notices: · Visit the exhibition of modern art, open every day, 9:30-6:00.· A special fishing licence is required for the season (May-September).
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I left school in 1995, and since then I’ve lived in London. Markets have been held here since time immemorial. It’s yonks since we had a good night out.
I left school in 1995, and since then I’ve lived in London. (=all the time since) We’ve been friends ever since we were at school together. She’s been terrified of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash. We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since.
We’ve been friends ever since we were at school together. She’s been terrified of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash. We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since.· He has been living in England since 2008.
· We’ve known about it since May.
· I have liked him since we first met.
· We’ve been driving since six this morning.
· She had been waiting since five o’clock.
· He has grown since I last saw him.
· I’ve known him for ten years.
· We’ve been waiting for hours.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=used about someone or something that is very good and popular, so that everyone wants them)
Markets have been held here since time immemorial. It’s yonks since we had a good night out.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► (since somebody was) in short pants► since when ...?
1from a particular time or event in the past until the present, or in that period of time: - Oh, yeah? Since when are you in charge around here?
- After that she was put away until they closed the asylums, since when she's lived in that place.
- And since when have you been such an excellent student of human nature?
- But since when is $ 250 high end?
- His championship-winning days began in 1983 and he lost the flyweight title two years ago, since when he has remained unbeaten.
- However, the next owner dismantled the walls in 1685, since when it has remained in a state of decay.
- Me: No kidding, since when?
- The winter of Keynesian discontent probably occurred in the early 1980s, since when there have been signs of a marked rally.
- True, the storyline was not completely didactic, which was just as well since when art does so it becomes dreary.
- I've long since stopped caring about him.
- Clearly he had long since trained himself to tune out all awareness of boys unless they menaced his engine or coachwork.
- He had long since given up reading the tabloids.
- Other staff had long since gone home.
- That one has long since vanished, as a result of the Falls' implacable backward erosion.
- The Democratic Party has long since taken black voters for granted.
- The reservoir behind it would have long since silted up.
- Women who had long since stopped listening except to their own ossified ramblings.
- Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be a dancer.
- Ever since the accident, Martha's been too afraid to drive.
- He's been acting different ever since his arrest.
- I've been getting these pains in my back ever since I fell down the stairs.
- I started an exercise program five years ago, and ever since then I've felt a lot better.
- Joan had been an early riser ever since she was a child.
- Matt moved to San Francisco in 1984 to go to medical school, and he's been there ever since.
- We've been friends ever since we met in school.
- We bought this house in 1986 and have lived here ever since.
- Another interview revealed that ever since childhood she had been very suspicious of strangers.
- Federal authorities have tried to put together a criminal case against Zimmermann ever since.
- He's had to be kept apart from the hamsters ever since one bit him on the nose.
- Instantly we fell in love with the area and have been returning regularly ever since.
- It has been on my conscience ever since.
- Marsha says Michael has been difficult to control ever since she divorced his father in 1979.
- She behaved in this way ever since the first attempt...
- Now, I didn't get it because I was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
- Chances are you will find corn syrup listed as a sweetener. Since when do we put corn in strawberry jam?
- Each form finishes with a summary of the work to be undertaken, by whom and by when.
- However, the next owner dismantled the walls in 1685, since when it has remained in a state of decay.
- Many did not obey, but most were close by when the storm hit.
- Me: No kidding, since when?
- Not three weeks on the Island had gone by when Mami called.
- The winter of Keynesian discontent probably occurred in the early 1980s, since when there have been signs of a marked rally.
- What was the matter with her? Since when had fitzAlan needed encouragement to show anger?
We’ve been waiting here since two o’clock. I haven’t played rugby since I left university. She left London ten years ago, and I haven’t seen her since. The factory has been here since the 1970s. It was exactly five years since her father had died. Since the end of the war, over five thousand prisoners have been released. He lost his job five years ago, but has since found other work. I left school in 1995, and since then I’ve lived in London.ever since (=all the time since) We’ve been friends ever since we were at school together. She’s been terrified of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash. We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since.2used to give the reason for something: Since you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.► see thesaurus at because3since when? spoken used in questions to show that you are very surprised or angry: Since when have you been interested in my feelings?4long since if something has long since happened, it happened a long time ago: I’ve long since forgiven her for what she did.GRAMMAR: Comparisonsince• You use since with a time, year, date, or other point in time: · He has been living in England since 2008.· We’ve known about it since May.• Don’t use since with a period of time. ✗Don’t say: He has been living in England since 12 years.• You use the present perfect before since: · I have liked him since we first met.· We’ve been driving since six this morning. ✗Don’t say: I like him since we first met.• You also use the past perfect before since: · She had been waiting since five o’clock. ✗Don’t say: She was waiting since five o’clock.• You use the simple past tense after since: · He has grown since I last saw him.for• You use for with a period of time: · I’ve known him for ten years.· We’ve been waiting for hours.- rib cage
- Ribena
- riboflavin
- rice
- Rice-A-Roni
- Rice-Davies, Mandy
- Rice, Jerry
- rice paddy
- rice paper
- rice pudding
- Rice, Sir Tim
- rich
- Richard and Judy
- Richard, Cliff
- Richard III, King
- Richard II, King
- Richard I, King
- Richard, Maurice
- Richardson, Samuel
- Richardson, Sir Ralph
- Richards, Viv
- Richelieu, Cardinal
- riches
- richly
- Richmond