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Synonyms

hitherto

American  
[hith-er-too] / ˈhɪð ərˌtu /

adverb

  1. up to this time; until now.

    a fact hitherto unknown.

  2. to here.


hitherto British  
/ ˈhɪðəˈtuː /

adverb

  1. until this time

    hitherto, there have been no problems

  2. archaic to this place or point

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. until this time

    a hitherto unoccupied house

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hitherto

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English hiderto; hither, to

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To their initial astonishment, they have attracted a far wider viewership spanning all ages, even followers who hitherto had only scant interest in ballet.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

During one episode, hitherto faithful Northern Irishman Matt was given the chance to speak to traitors Stephen and Rachel, who were hidden in a confession booth.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

A poorly cleared corner followed by an unfortunate deflection proved fatal to the hitherto impenetrable Parisian defence.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

The commodity boom, especially pronounced in gold and other metals, is generating some remarkable statistics and dramatically revising some hitherto well-established ratios.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

He was thinking that under such circumstances an electron might combine with a proton to form an uncharged, hitherto undetected compound particle he dubbed the neutron.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik