yet

1 of 2

adverb

ˈyet 

1

a

: in addition : besides

gives yet another reason

b

: even sense 1b

a yet higher speed

c

: on top of everything else : no less

had wells going dry. Between two large lakes, yet

—J. H. Buzard

2

a(1)

: up to now : so far

hasn't done much yet

—often used to imply the negative of a following infinitive

have yet to win a game

(2)

: at this or that time : so soon as now

not time to go yet

b

: continuously up to the present or a specified time : still

is yet a new country

c

: at a future time : eventually

may yet see the light

3

: nevertheless, however

yet

2 of 2

conjunction

: but nevertheless : but

Phrases

as yet

: up to the present or a specified time

there are as yet few clues

—Sharon Kingman

yet again

: one more time

arrived late yet again

Synonyms

Adverb

• eventually
• finally
• someday
• sometime
• sooner or later
• ultimately

Conjunction

• but
• except
• excepting
• only
• saving

Examples of yet in a Sentence

Adverb

His latest novel is his best one yet.

I haven't read the book yet.

Has the mail arrived yet?

It's not time to eat yet.

“Are you ready?” “No, not yet.”

We don't yet know what their plans are.

Their suggestions won't be implemented, at least not yet.

We don't have a firm grasp of the situation yet.

Conjunction

it feels like summer, yet according to the calendar we're still in early spring

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

No information regarding the cause of the fire has been released as yet. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024

Gaffigan, the only announcer who has yet to win a Grammy, has been nominated for best comedy album seven times without winning. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024

This has yet to happen on the tour since the song was released. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024

In an email to PEOPLE on Thursday, Oct. 31, a spokesperson for the Asheville Fire Department confirmed that four people in Asheville have yet to be accounted for — with one of them presumed dead. —David Chiu, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English gīet; akin to Old Frisian ieta yet

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing yet

• early days (yet)
• just yet
• the best is yet to come/be

Kids Definition

yet

1 of 2 adverb

(ˈ)yet 

1

a

: in addition : besides

gives yet another reason

b

: even entry 3 sense 4

a yet higher speed

2

a

: up to now : so far

hasn't done much yet

b

: at this time : so soon as now

not time to go yet

c

: still entry 3 sense 2

is yet a new country

d

: at a later time

may yet see the light

3

: nevertheless

strong, yet not strong enough

yet

2 of 2 conjunction

: despite that fact : but

bought more milk yet it was not enough for everyone