unless

Meaning

1. Except on a specified condition; if not.
2. If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.
3. Except if; used with hypothetical conditionals.

Synonyms

except

but

if not

apart from

save

if

aside from

only

only if

other than

without

except if

besides

conditional

alone

at least if

apart

barring

except that

except when

lest

not before

otherwise

provided that

than

until

whereas

whether

only after that

Translations

à moins que

tenzij

a menos que

a meno che

es sei denn

a menos que

a no ser que

nisi

sauf si

εκτός εάν

wenn nicht

llevat que

außer wenn

sauf

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ənˈlɛs/

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-.

Sentences

Do not overtake unless it is safe to do so .