hitherto

adverb

hith·​er·​to ˈhi-t͟hər-ˌtü How to pronounce hitherto (audio)
ˌhi-t͟hər-ˈtü
: up to this or that time
reveals some hitherto unknown facts about her life

Examples of hitherto in a Sentence

at the talent show Kyle revealed his hitherto unknown gift for doing impressions
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eventually, Lydia Harris was forced to file suit against Knight, revealing the actual origin story of Death Row Records’ and the hitherto unknown players involved. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Such gene editing might remove undesirable traits or adapt humans to conditions hitherto unachievable by natural means, such as being able to breathe underwater or survive unaided in other extreme conditions, Gee writes. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Rather than wait for the cavalry to arrive in the unlikely form of a bunch of hitherto untapped categories, the sales guys instead chopped the commercial running times in half, thereby making their inventory a great deal more affordable. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025 In 2009, a hitherto obscure civil and environmental engineering professor from Stanford University named Mark Jacobson rose to prominence as Lovins’ heir apparent. Ted Nordhaus, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2016 See All Example Sentences for hitherto

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hitherto was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Hitherto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hitherto. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

hitherto

adverb
hith·​er·​to ˈhit͟h-ər-ˌtü How to pronounce hitherto (audio)
: up to this time
hitherto unknown facts

More from Merriam-Webster on hitherto

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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