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

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

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 Zegan:

   I don't smoke . . . unless of course I'm on fire.

2. Nancy Pelosi:

   You don't bring an indictment, or you don't bring an impeachment unless you have all of the facts.

3. Tom Wolfe:

   I think every living moment of a human being's life, unless the person is starving or in immediate danger of death in some other way, is controlled by a concern for status.

4. Landon Luxembourg:

   This may prompt consumers to reevaluate the need for a hefty investment in at-home equipment unless progress made from the vaccine rollout proves ineffective.

5. Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski:

   Unless Britain could support our expectations related to an allied military presence on Polish territory.

Images & Illustrations of unless

Popularity rank by frequency of use