How to pronounce until
Say it like un-TIL. Until has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIL).
- un
- TIL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Until pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of until
American and British speakers say until in essentially the same way: /ənˈtɪl/ in the US and /ʌnˈtɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-TIL.
What does until mean?
- Up to the time of (something happening); pending.“If you can wait until after my meeting with her, we'll talk then.”
- Up to (a certain place)“Keep walking until the second set of traffic lights, then turn left.”
- Before (a time).
- Up to the time that (a condition becomes true).“Not until I got his email did I fully understand his disappointment.”
- Before (a condition becoming true).
Where does until come from?
From Middle English vntil, until, untill, ontil, ontill, perhaps representing a northern variant of Middle English unto (see Modern English unto).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with until
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of until.
Questions about saying until
How do you pronounce until?
Say un-TIL. The American pronunciation is /ənˈtɪl/. In British English it is /ʌnˈtɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in until?
Until has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIL). Broken into parts: un · TIL.
Do Americans and Brits say until the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈtɪl/ and the British form is /ʌnˈtɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.