unless

[ uhn-les, uhn- ]

conjunction

1. except under the circumstances that:

   I'll be there at nine, unless the train is late.

preposition

1. except; but; save:

   Nothing will come of it, unless disaster.

unless

/ ʌnˈlɛs /

conjunction

1. subordinating except under the circumstances that; except on the condition that

   they'll sell it unless he hears otherwise

preposition

1. rare.
   except

Word History and Origins

Origin of unless¹

1400–50; late ME prepositional phrase on less (also o less(e) , earlier upon less ) on a lesser footing or condition (than); first used as a preposition and conjunction in the early 16th century; on, less

Word History and Origins

Origin of unless¹

C14: onlesse , from on on + lesse less ; compare French à moins que, literally: at less than

Example Sentences

“The songs are basically in single takes unless there’s a location change that I did not anticipate. Even if it’s not yet dance, it’s still choreographed because there’s a musical rhythm to everything that’s happening.”

From Los Angeles Times

“And if Trump dismantles our democracy, as many fear will be the case, and the world’s greatest power, the U.S., becomes — in essence — a petrostate, it’s game over for climate action full stop for the foreseeable future, unless the rest of the world unites and takes bold action, including potentially the most punitive possible sanctions against the United States.”

From Salon

It’s unlikely that Trump will pay attention to the Pentagon’s operations against jihadists there or in the West African Sahel, unless there is a high-profile incident with American casualties.

From BBC

There’s really no stopping them unless Los Alamitos finds a way to control the clock and avoid turnovers.

From Los Angeles Times

Hulk Hogan was probably the best-received speaker of the convention, and his speech was focused on how you're not a real American unless you're a Trump voter.

From Salon