Etymology Map
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Until

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means up to the point in time mentioned

Where does the word "until" come from? It comes from Old Norse und, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
und
Old Norse · medieval
"up to, as far as"
a preposition meaning 'as far as', later lost in the Scandinavian languages themselves
2
Stage 2 of 3
untill
Middle English · 1200s
"up to (a time)"
formed by joining Norse 'und' with 'till', itself another Norse borrowing, doubling up the meaning
3
Stage 3 of 3
until
English · 1500s
"up to the time that"
became the standard form, with 'till' surviving alongside as its shorter twin
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Read the full story

Until’s story begins in Old Norse: und meant “up to, as far as.” A preposition meaning 'as far as', later lost in the Scandinavian languages themselves. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as untill. Formed by joining Norse 'und' with 'till', itself another Norse borrowing, doubling up the meaning. It reached English by 1500s as until. Became the standard form, with 'till' surviving alongside as its shorter twin. Today, until means up to the point in time mentioned.