# hitherto

/ˈhɪˌðɝˈtu/ (US) · /hˈɪðətˌuː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hitherto
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. until now

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

until now or until the time you are talking about.

For teachers: up to this time; until now or until the point in time mentioned. Often used in academic or legal contexts to describe a change in status.

- The company decided to release information that had hitherto been kept secret.
- The discovery of these documents shed light on a period of history that had hitherto been poorly understood by scholars.

Usage: Typically placed before the adjective or past participle it modifies, or at the end of a clause.

## Examples

- The museum is showing hitherto unseen paintings by the artist.
- The discovery provided evidence for a hitherto unknown civilization that lived in the valley centuries ago.
- The new legislation aims to protect rights that were hitherto ignored by the legal system, marking a significant shift in national policy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.