unless
1 of 2conjunction
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 2preposition
: except possibly : except
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
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 But unless brought up on a farm, few white people speak an African language, while most young Indians speak only English or are bilingual in English and Afrikaans. Yan Hairong, Quartz Africa, 4 June 2020 Shelter-In-Place / Stay-At-Home** An order instituted by state and local officials requiring people to stay isolated and inside their homes unless their travel is essential, so as to avoid spreading the virus. Boone Ashworth, Wired, 2 June 2020 The University of Michigan won’t have a football season this fall unless all students are able to be back on campus for classes. Melissa Korn And Laine Higgins, WSJ, 24 May 2020 The National Council of Applied Economic Research, a think-tank in Delhi, predicts a contraction of 12.5% this fiscal year unless there is a huge stimulus. The Economist, 23 May 2020 See More
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 But unless brought up on a farm, few white people speak an African language, while most young Indians speak only English or are bilingual in English and Afrikaans. Yan Hairong, Quartz Africa, 4 June 2020 Shelter-In-Place / Stay-At-Home** An order instituted by state and local officials requiring people to stay isolated and inside their homes unless their travel is essential, so as to avoid spreading the virus. Boone Ashworth, Wired, 2 June 2020 The University of Michigan won’t have a football season this fall unless all students are able to be back on campus for classes. Melissa Korn And Laine Higgins, WSJ, 24 May 2020 The National Council of Applied Economic Research, a think-tank in Delhi, predicts a contraction of 12.5% this fiscal year unless there is a huge stimulus. The Economist, 23 May 2020 See More 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
Kids Definition
unless
conjunction
un·less ən-ˈles
: except on the condition that
You can't have dessert unless you finish your dinner.