since
since Lexical Profile
since Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
Between a particular past time and the present; subsequently.
"They moved to Chicago five years ago and have lived there ever since."
Before the present time; ago.
"The ancient fortress had long since fallen into ruin."
• conjunction
From a specific time in the past when a particular state or event began until the present.
"She has been working at the hospital since she graduated from medical school."
For the reason that; because; seeing that.
"Since the library was closed for the holiday, we decided to study at a quiet cafe."
• preposition
In the intervening period between the time mentioned and the time under consideration, typically the present.
"The museum has welcomed over a million visitors since its reopening in May."
Word Nuance & Usage
When expressing time, 'since' refers to a specific starting point in the past (e.g., 'since Monday' or 'since 2010'), whereas 'for' indicates a duration of time (e.g., 'for three days' or 'for ten years').
• Rhymes for since
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'sin' or 'sithence', which developed as a contraction of Old English 'siþþan' ('afterward, from the time that'), literally meaning 'after that'.