since

[ sins ]

adverb

1. from then till now (often preceded by ever ):

   He was elected in 1978 and has been president ever since.

2. between a particular past time and the present; subsequently:

   She at first refused, but has since consented.

3. before now; ago:

   long since.

preposition

1. continuously from or counting from:

   It has been warm since noon.

2. between a past time or event and the present:

   There have been many changes since the war.

conjunction

1. in the period following the time when:

   He has written once since he left.

2. continuously from or counting from the time when:

   He has been busy since he came.

3. because; inasmuch as:

   Since you're already here, you might as well stay.

since

/ sɪns /

preposition

1. during or throughout the period of time after

   since May it has only rained once

conjunction

1. sometimes preceded by ever continuously from or starting from the time when

   since we last met, important things have happened

2. seeing that; because

   since you have no money, you can't come

adverb

1. since that time

   he left yesterday and I haven't seen him since

Usage Note

See as ¹.

Usage

See ago

Word History and Origins

Origin of since¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English (adverb) syns, sinnes “thereupon, afterwards,” Middle English (adverb and conjunction) sithenes “afterwards, from (the specified time), because,” equivalent to sithen “after that, since” ( Old English siththan, originally sīth thām “after that”) + -es; sith, -s ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of since¹

Old English sīththan, literally: after that; related to Old High German sīd since, Latin sērus late

Idioms and Phrases

see greatest thing since sliced bread .

Example Sentences

More recently, a report published by #WeCount in October 2024 found a small but consistent increase in the national monthly number of abortions since October 2023, even in states with restrictive gestational limits.

From Salon

But over the last couple of years, since the Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs v.

From Salon

For example, in Florida since the state’s Amendment 4 didn’t pass, despite 57 percent of voters in favor of it.

From Salon

Americans' interest in getting away has risen since the election.

From Salon

There are, still, 2 million civil service employees, a number that seems ginormous until you remember, as Moynihan told me, that that number hasn’t grown appropriately in relation to the population, economy, and other factors since 1960.

From Slate

Related Words

• afterward
• ago
• already
• later
• therefore