Definitions for unless
ʌnˈlɛs, ən-un·less

Wiktionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. unlessconjunction

   Except on a specified condition; if not.

   I'm leaving unless I get a pay rise.

   Etymology: onlesse, from on lesse, from on a less condition (on became un-)

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Unless

   upon any less condition than (the fact or thing stated in the sentence or clause which follows); if not; supposing that not; if it be not; were it not that; except; as, we shall fail unless we are industrious

Freebase(2.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Unless

   Unless, first published by Fourth Estate, an imprint of Harper Collins in 2002, is the final novel by Canadian writer Carol Shields. Semi-autobiographical, it was the capstone to Shields's writing career: she died shortly after its publication in 2003. The work was widely acclaimed and nominated for the Booker Prize, the Giller Prize, the Governor General's Award, the Orange Prize for Fiction, and received the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. In 2011, it was a finalist in the Canada Reads competition, where it was defended by actor Lorne Cardinal. Like many of her works, Unless explores the extraordinary that lies within the ordinary lives of ordinary women. The novel is narrated in first person by 44-year old writer and translator, Reta Winters. The book proceeds as a linear series of reflections by Reta, elliptically coming to the thematic center of the story: the seemingly arbitrary decision of Reta's college-aged daughter Norah to drop out of university and live on the street with a cardboard sign affixed to her chest that reads "Goodness". Although the novel does not in any way proceed like a mystery, the reasons for Norah's departure from the normal world are Reta's primary motivation in writing. In parallel, her relationship with her French mentor drives much of her narration and view of herself.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Unless

   un-les′, conj. at or for less: if not: supposing that not: save, except. [Formerly on les, on lesse, in phrase on lesse that, in less than.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'unless' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #967

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'unless' in Written Corpus Frequency: #680

How to pronounce unless?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say unless in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of unless in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of unless in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of unless in a Sentence

1. Tom Vandeventer:

   Cutting prices is more often a sign of weakness unless you are Amazon, and only Amazon is Amazon.

2. Emeasoba George:

   Unless/Until you make up your mind to live for others and keep on living for others you are not actually living. Yes! you are just existing. And that's why, you will be forgotten so soon/easily after your demise. Thus, resolve to live for others throughout your lifetime.

3. Kristen Clarke:

   At the end of day, officers in their badge and uniform enjoy the benefit of the doubt, unless we start holding officers accountable for using deadly force in a reckless manner, I think it will be very difficult to see changes in the use of lethal force at the outset.

4. Bob Baffert:

   There are a lot of good horses in here, unless we see something different on Derby Day, this is a nice evenly matched group of horses. I don't see someone really popping off the screen.

5. Anthony Guglielmi:

   We can put a cop on every driveway in Chicago, but unless you get community engagement you only get so far.

Popularity rank by frequency of use