unless
/ɪnˈlɛs/
conjunction
Except on a specified condition; if not.
NWL
Collins
ENABLE
Conjunction 3 meanings
Except on a specified condition; if not.
“I’m leaving unless I get a pay rise.”
If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.
Except if; used with hypothetical conditionals.
Where it comes from
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-.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite
if
UNLESS at a glance
UNLESS has 6 letters and scores 6 points in Scrabble (U 1 + N 1 + L 1 + E 1 + S 1 + S 1) and 9 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,092 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with unless
All rhymesKeep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.