UNLESS

Definition: UNLESS

UNLESS

Conjunction

1. 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Date "UNLESS" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1010. (references)

Note: Unless \Un*less"\, conjunction. [Formerly, onles, onlesse, onlesse that, that is, in less, in less case. See On, and Less.]. (references)

Tips from 1870

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Circumstance

Conditionally, provided, if, in case; if so, if so be, if it be so; depending on circumstances, in certain circumstances, under certain conditions; if it so happen, if it so turn out; in the event of; in such a contingency, in such a case, in such an event; provisionally, unless, without.

Qualification

Adverb: provided, provided that, provided always; if, unless, but, yet; according as; conditionally, admitting, supposing; on the supposition of; (theoretically); with the understanding, even, although, though, for all that, after all, at all events.

Unconformity

Adverb: unconformably; Adjective: except, unless, save barring, beside, without, save and except, let alone.

Crosswords: UNLESS

Not unless you can raise the dead (The Sweet Hereafter; writing credit: Atom Egoyan)

I am glad you are late. This chicken took longer than I expected Hope it isn't done too much Of course, it caught on fire once I think it is better that I cut it out here, unless you want half of one for yourself (Notorious; writing credit: Ben Hecht)

Only from me 007, unless you bring that car back in pristine order (Tomorrow Never Dies; writing credit: Bruce Feirstein)

Not unless you're trying to be twenty-five (Sunset Blvd.; writing credit: Charles Brackett)

Unless, of course, somebody comes up with 6-Minute Abs. Then you're in trouble, huh (There's Something About Mary; writing credit: Ed Decter; John J. Strauss)

But ain't no problems, unless the water don't stay blue (If I Could Go; performing artist: Angie Martinez)

He can't blow a note unless a bass and guitar (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy; performing artist: Bette Midler)

I don't deserve you unless it's some kind of hidden message (Butterfly; performing artist: Crazy Town)

Make you bite your lips, Jenny you know you like unless (Feelin' So Good; performing artist: Jennifer Lopez)

And you didn't get any unless you went steady and made out for a year (All You Wanna Do Is Dance; performing artist: Joe)

Don't talk unless you can improve the silence. (references; author: Vermont Proverb)

Life itself cannot give you joy unless you really will it. (references; author: unknown)

Never say anything unless it is kind, necessary, and true. (references; author: unknown)

The mind is like a parachute, it's no good unless it's open! (references; author: unknown)

All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do. (references; author: unknown)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Books

• Till Death Do Us Part Unless I Kill You First: A Step-By-Step Guide for Resolving Marital Conflict (reference)

• Unless You Repent (reference)

  (more book examples)

Music

• Don't Run Unless God Says (reference)

• Off The Hook: You Can't Talk To God, Unless You Pick Up The Phone (reference)

• Unless It's You (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Polar bear - Ursus maritimus - hunting near large group of walrus. Polar bear normally won't attack walrus unless walrus is sick or very young. Credit: NOAA's Ark (Animals).

Let sleeping dogs lie unless the car starts to back up. Apparently there was no leash law at Puntarenas as dogs seemed to roam about the town at will. Credit: Small World.

Unless I can have your agreement to make Miss Angela Boggs toe the scratch --. Credit: Library of Congress.

You can't fool all of the people all the time unless they're Germans. Credit: Library of Congress.

I'll give him just about a week to live -- unless they cut that noise!. Credit: Library of Congress.

Niagara Falls will be destroyed unless ... this is an appeal for help. Credit: Library of Congress.

Death unless you surrender. Here is a leaflet giving Japan's ultimatum to the Filipino people. In reply, the Filipinos threw their entire resources and manpower into the struggle on the side of the United States. Credit: Library of Congress.

Dusting plane hedge-hopping after spraying swath on beanfield. These planes can spray 100 acres an hour, can usually fly one or two hours unless it rains or storms in an average day. The usual traveling "dusting circus" has at least three or four planes,. Credit: Library of Congress.

Having a talent isn't worth much unless you know what to do with it / Palladino. Credit: Library of Congress.

It can't get done unless everyone helps. Credit: Library of Congress.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

No constable or other bailiff of ours shall take corn or other provisions from anyone without immediately tendering money therefor, unless he can have postponement thereof by permission of the seller. (reference)

Unless they do this, they are not perfect. (Second Treatise of Government)

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. (reference)

No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. (reference)

Amendment V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. (reference)

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. (reference)

No person, says the constitution, "shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court." (reference)

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all case when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages. (Abraham Lincoln)

This fee shall, unless the Tribunal directs otherwise, be borne by the unsuccessful party. (reference)

Unless adequate preventive measures are taken to dispel the compulsion inherent in custodial surroundings, no statement obtained from the defendant can truly be the product of his free choice. (reference)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Unless people are more than commonly disagreeable, it is my foolish habit to contract a kindness for them

Unless one had seen them through the grated gate of the garden, it would have been difficult to guess that they lived in the Rue Plumet

Nothing moved him or spoke to him from the real world unless he heard in it an echo of the infuriated cries within him.

I Will not rise unless your Highness hear me.

And since old Tom and the children could not know hurt or fear unless she acknowledged hurt and fear, she had practiced denying them in herself

For your mouths lying flat with your faces, you can hardly bite each other to any purpose, unless by consent

I would rather sit in the open air, for no dust gathers on the grass, unless where man has broken ground

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

The disseminated form is fatal unless treated. (references)

Check Your Work. Dental plaque is hard to see unless it is stained. (references)

Do NOT restrict the person from moving unless he or she is in danger. (references)

Business

A license is not required unless a place of business is set up in the UAE. (references)

Tenders normally have a 90-day validity period unless otherwise indicated. (references)

Older children live with their fathers unless judicial authorities decide otherwise. (references)

Children

Bangladesh

Unless a family has money to pay for private service, a mentally ill person can find little treatment in the country. (references)

Fiji

The legal system is inadequate to protect the rights of children, since children's testimony is largely inadmissible unless corroborated by an adult. (references)

Canada

The law requires employers and service providers to accommodate special needs of persons with disabilities, unless it constitutes an undue hardship, and mandates access to buildings for the disabled. (references)

Civil Liberties

Syria

Citizens may not hold demonstrations unless they obtain permission from the Ministry of Interior. (references)

Thailand

Unless critical of the royal family or the monarchy, foreign and domestic books normally are not censored and circulate freely. (references)

Algeria

The Interior Ministry licenses all nongovernmental associations and regards all associations as illegal unless they have licenses. (references)

Discrimination

Romania

An emergency ordinance has the effect of law unless it is nullified by the Parliament. (references)

Zambia

These amendments also prohibit traditional chiefs, who are accorded authority and privileges as chiefs, from running for political office unless they resign their chieftainships. (references)

Economic History

Hong Kong

Note: All Figures in US$ millions unless otherwise indicated. (references)

Human Rights

Sweden

Detainees routinely are released pending trial unless they are considered dangerous. (references)

Korea

Authorities normally must release suspects after 30 days unless an indictment is issued. (references)

Spain

Defendants are released on bail unless the court believes that they may flee or be a threat to public safety. (references)

Minorities

Kenya

Chenge Mbitiru, DP M.P. from Laikipia West, has called Asians "the greatest economic enemies" of the country and in 2000 called for "Kenyans" to isolate "Asians" unless the government acts to constrain them. (references)

Political Economy

Jamaica

The JDF has no mandate to maintain law and order and no powers of arrest, unless so ordained by the Prime Minister. (references)

Poland

Poland's last local elections were in September 1998 and new local elections will take place in 2002 unless called earlier. (references)

Political Rights

India

A Parliament sits for 5 years unless dissolved earlier for new elections, except under constitutionally defined emergency situations. (references)

Tajikistan

Although Usmon announced that he would boycott the election unless the other two opposition figures also were allowed to run, the Central Election Commission included his name on the ballot. (references)

Jordan

The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, continues to declare publicly that it will boycott new elections unless significant changes to the one-man, one-vote provision are made. (references)

Trade

Korea

All commodities can be freely exported unless they are included on the negative list. (references)

Hungary

The deadline of return is 24 months unless an international agreement states otherwise. (references)

Honduras

All inscriptions should also be made in Spanish, unless authorized otherwise by the DFC. (references)

Travel

Latvia

The speed limit is 50 km/hr in towns, and 90 km/hr on the open road, unless otherwise marked. (references)

Mauritius

Immunization certificates are not required unless the traveler arrives from an infected area. (references)

Philippines

A guest does not order the most expensive items on the menu, unless the host insists otherwise. (references)

Women

Central African Republic

Spousal abuse is considered a civil matter unless the injury is severe. (references)

Qatar

Non-Muslim wives inherit nothing, unless a special exception is arranged. (references)

Burma

Rape is illegal; however, spousal rape is not a crime unless the wife is under 12 years of age. (references)

Worker Rights

Guatemala

Thereafter, they can be fired for cause, unless they are members of the union's executive committee. (references)

Burma

There are regulations forbidding girls under age 25 from crossing the border unless accompanied by a guardian. (references)

Russia

Unless deported by the host country, women must pay their own way home or turn to international NGO's for assistance. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Expressions using "UNLESS": average unless general ♦ FPA unless ♦ FPA unless caused by ♦ free of particular average unless ♦ free of particular average unless caused by ♦ unless caused by ♦ unless countermanded ♦ unless general ♦ unless otherwise provided in ♦ unless otherwise stated ♦ unless we can find a remedy. Additional references.

Beginning with "UNLESS": unless-redeemed.

Ending with "UNLESS": letter-unless, nothing-unless.

Afrikaans

tensy. (various references)

Albanian

veç në, veç (apart, barring, besides, beyond, but, else, except, in addition, in addition to, moreover, over and above, save, saving, separately), po të mos (but for, but that), në mos. (various references)

Arabic 

الا (except, if not), ‏ما لم (except if), ‏إلا إذا (barring), ‏إلا (but, except, save), ‏بإستثناء (barring, bating, besides, except, except for, excepting, exclusive, save). (various references)

Bulgarian 

освен когато, освен ако (except, save), ако не (except, failing). (various references)

Chinese 

除非. (various references)

Czech

s výjimkou, že, pokud ne (barring), leè (however), kdyby ne, jestliže ne, jestli ne. (various references)

Danish

under forbehold af modbestemmelser (clause (unknown) to the contrary, unless there be any prior contract), udligningsafgifter ved indfoersel kan ikke paalaegges medmindre (countervailing charges in respect of imports may not be imposed unless), medmindre Raadet tillader en fravigelse (unless an exception is authorised by the CounCil), medmindre forårsagel af (unless caused by), medmindre en af staterner modsaetter sig (unless a State objects), medmindre der findes tidligere overenskomster (clause (unknown) to the contrary, unless there be any prior contract), medmindre Den Hoeje Myndighed samtykker i,at der anlaegges en saerlig sag i anledning af den beslutning,hvorved transaktionen erklaeres for retsstridig (unless the High Authority agrees to the institution of separate proceedings against the decision declaring the transaction unlawful), medmindre andet er fastsat i det i medfoer af artikel 2O9 udfaerdigede regnskabsregulativ (unless the regulations made pursuant to Article 2O provide otherwise), medmindre andet aftalt (unless otherwise agreed upon, unless otherwise arranged), havari gross (unless general), fri for særligt havari med mindre forårsaget af (FPA unless caused by, free of particular average unless caused by), fri for særligt havari med mindre (FPA unless, free of particular average unless), forsikring kun dækkende ved totalhavari (warranted free from average unless general), beskadigelser bortset fra almindelig beskadigelse (average unless general). (various references)

Dutch

tenzij, tenzij, tenzý. (various references)

Esperanto

krom se. (various references)

Farsi 

مگراینکه , مگر (But, Except), جزاینکه . (various references)

Finnish

jollei (if not), ellei (if not). (various references)

French

sauf, à moins que, à moins de. (various references)

German

wenn nicht, es sei denn (save), außer wenn. (various references)

Greek 

εκτόσ (beside, besides, but, except, excepting, out, outside, save), εκτός κι'αν, εκτός εάν, εξόν κι΄αν, εάν (if, whether), εί μη. (various references)

Hebrew 

לולא (if not), להוציא את (apart from, except for, excluding), אלא אם כן (except), אלא אם. (various references)

Hungarian

kivéve hogyha, hacsak nem (except, except for). (various references)

Indonesian

kecuali kalau. (various references)

Italian

tranne che, tranne (bar, but, except, save, saving, short), salvo che, meno di (under), meno che non, meno (apart from, as little as, except, fewer, least, less, minus, not as ... as, not as much, not so, not so ... as, under), eccetto che. (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

抱き癖 (unhappy unless held). (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

だきぐせ (unhappy unless held). (various references)

Korean 

않는한. (various references)

Manx

ny s'looid (except, if not). (various references)

Pig Latin

essunlay.(various references)

Portuguese

a menos que (without). (various references)

Romanian

dacã nu (but that, if not, only, only that, or, otherwise, save, without), afarã de cazul când. (various references)

Russian 

кроме (all but, apart from, aside from, besides, but, but for, else, exept, other than, unless otherwise), если не (but, nisi), если (and if, except as otherwise, given that, I shouldn't wonder if, if, in case, in case of there, in the event that, in the event the, lest, provided that, supposing), пока не. (various references)

Scottish

mur (except). (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

sem (apart from, barring, beside, except, excepting, save), ako ne (but for, or else). (various references)

Spanish

a menos que. (various references)

Swedish

om inte (if not, nisi, without). (various references)

Turkish

olmazsa (barring, except, failing, failing this, nisi), olmadıkça, -mezse, -den başka (all but, aside from, bar, but the, save, save for, saving). (various references)

Ukrainian

якщо не (except, if not, nisi, save, saving), хіба тільки. (various references)

Welsh

oni (but, except, if not, is it not?, not?, save), oddigerth, oddieithr. (various references)

nisi. (various references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Derivations

Words ending with "UNLESS": gunless, nounless, runless, sunless. (additional references)

Misspellings

"UNLESS" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: onles, runless, ules, ulevs, umless, unclassy, unlesse, unlist, unloess, unloses, unoless, usless. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-1 letter: lunes, slues.

-2 letters: lens, less, lues, lune, ness, sels, slue, sues, suns, uses.

-3 letters: els, ens, ess, leu, nus, sel, sen, sue, sun, uns, use.

-4 letters: el, en, es, ne, nu, un, us.

+1 letter: dulness, ensouls, fulness, gunless, gunsels, runless, sensual, silenus, sunless, unseals, unsells.

+2 letters: blueness, clonuses, counsels, dullness, elusions, foulness, fullness, glumness, inulases, loudness, lushness, mescluns, nounless, rungless, scalenus, selenous, senseful, snuffles, snuggles, spelunks, spinules, splenius, sublines, sulfones, sunbelts, synfuels, tuneless, ugliness, uncloses, unlashes, unlooses, unshells, unsteels, utensils.

+3 letters: adultness, angeluses, annuluses, awfulness, bluenoses, bluffness, bluntness, boundless, bulkiness, bullnoses, burliness, bustlines, convulses, countless, cruelness, curliness, dauntless, delusions, dulnesses, emulsions, esculents, evulsions, fluidness, flushness, fulnesses, insulates, insulters, laundress, lemniscus, lousiness, lucidness, luckiness, lumpiness, luridness, lustiness, lutenists, nebulises, nonpluses, nucleases, nucleuses, nutshells, pleustons, plumpness, plushness, pulpiness, punchless, purslanes, seclusion, seleniums, sensillum, sensually, snufflers, soundless, spinulose, squalenes, subpanels, sulkiness, sullenest, sulphones, sultaness, surliness, turnsoles, unblessed, unleashes, unloosens, unsaddles, unselfish, unsettles, unsolders, usualness, woundless.