Definition of UNLESS

unless

Conj

  • Except on a specified condition; if not.
  • If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.
  • Except if; used with hypothetical conditionals.

Conjunction

  • Except on the condition that; if not.

Examples

  • I’m leaving unless I get a pay rise.
  • You can't go out unless it stops raining.
  • You cannot play "QI" unless you have another letter to connect to it.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English unlesse, earlier on lesse (modern on + less), from (not) on lesse (than) (“(not) on a less compelling condition (than)”). The quality of negation in the word and the lack of stress changed on to un-.

Antonyms

if

Scrabble Score: 6

unless: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
unless: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
unless: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

unless: valid Words With Friends Word