# 'til

/ˈtɪɫ/ (US) · /tˈɪl/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Preposition

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/til
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

up to a certain time. It is a shorter, more casual way to say 'until'.

For teachers: up to the point in time or the event mentioned. An informal contraction of 'until', often used in speech and casual writing.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I waited til he arrived." but "I waited 'til he arrived." — In formal writing, 'til should include an apostrophe to show it is a contraction of 'until', though 'till' (with two Ls) is also a correct standalone word.

## Usage notes

- Often written with a leading apostrophe to indicate the missing letters from 'until', though 'till' is a separate, older alternative.

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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.