Definition of yet

Email this page to a friend

< yestreen

yeti >

yet    (yt) KEY 

ADVERB:

1. At this time; for the present: isn't ready yet.
2. Up to a specified time; thus far: The end had not yet come.
3. At a future time; eventually: may yet change his mind.
4. Besides; in addition: returned for yet another helping.
5. Still more; even: a yet sadder tale.
6. Nevertheless: young yet wise.

CONJUNCTION:

And despite this; nevertheless: She said she would be late, yet she arrived on time.

IDIOM:
as yet

Up to the present time; up to now.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English get; see i- in Indo-European roots
Usage Note:
In formal writing, yet in the sense "up to now" is normally used with an accompanying verb in the present perfect rather than in the simple past. Thus, one would say He hasn't started yet, not He didn't start yet. The use of yet with the simple past is common in speech and may be appropriate for informal writing.