yet
yet
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "yet" is /jɛt/.
/jɛt/
/j/ - as in "yes"
/ɛ/ - as in "bed"
/t/ - as in "top"
Word Form Variations
"Yet" does not have word form variations in terms of singular, plural, or typical verb conjugations. It primarily functions as an adverb or a conjunction.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: Up to the present time; by this time. Used to indicate that something has not happened or is not true at a particular moment, but may happen or become true in the future.
Synonyms: still, so far, as yet, heretofore
Antonyms: no longer, already
Definition 2: In addition; besides. Used to emphasize an increase in degree or amount, or to introduce a further point.
Synonyms: even, still, besides, moreover
Antonyms: none (as it signifies addition)
Definition 3: Despite what has been said or done; nevertheless. Used to introduce a contrasting or surprising statement.
Synonyms: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, but, still
Antonyms: consequently, therefore
Conjunction
Definition: (Formal or literary) But; although. Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict what has been said previously.
Synonyms: but, however, nevertheless, though
Antonyms: and, consequently
Examples of Use
Books: "The truth, however, is that while we have made great strides, we have not yet achieved true equality." (From The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, 2010)
Newspapers: "The economic recovery is fragile, and many sectors have yet to see significant job growth." (The New York Times, June 2024)
Online Publications: "Despite the widespread adoption of remote work, the long-term impact on urban centers is yet to be fully understood." (Forbes.com, May 2024)
Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV): "Have you finished your homework yet?" (Common dialogue in many family-oriented television shows, e.g., The Simpsons, various episodes)
Entertainment Platforms (Music): "I haven't found what I'm looking for yet." (From the song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2, 1987)
General Public Discourse (Social Media): "Still waiting for my package to arrive. No sign of it yet." (A common tweet or Facebook post by someone tracking a delivery, June 2024)
General Public Discourse (Everyday Conversation): "Are you ready to go yet?" or "I haven't eaten dinner yet." (Common phrases used in daily interactions)
10 Quotes Using Yet
"And yet it moves." (Galileo Galilei, often attributed)
"The best is yet to be." (Robert Browning, from "Rabbi Ben Ezra")
"I have not yet begun to fight." (John Paul Jones)
"You haven't seen anything yet." (Al Jolson, from The Jazz Singer)
"And still, after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky." (Hafiz, sometimes translated with "yet" as "And yet the sun never says...")
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." (Oscar Wilde, from Lady Windermere's Fan, the original quote does not contain "yet", but a common paraphrase is "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars, yet even so...")
"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady; O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were! She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that?" (William Shakespeare, from Romeo and Juliet)
"It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?" (Henry David Thoreau, sometimes paraphrased with "Many are busy, yet produce nothing.")
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill, often paraphrased with "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts, yet many quit too soon.")
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Nelson Mandela, often paraphrased with "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall, yet some choose to stay down.")
Etymology
The word "yet" has a long history, going back to the very early days of the English language.
It comes from an Old English word, "ġīet" or "ġyt". If you look closely, you can see the similarity in sound and structure to our modern "yet."
The first known uses and meanings of "yet" in Old English were very similar to how we use it today. It originally meant:
"Still" or "up to the present time": This is like saying, "I haven't eaten yet," meaning "I haven't eaten up to this point."
"In addition" or "besides": You can see this in phrases like, "There's yet another reason," meaning "There's an additional reason."
Over the centuries, as Old English evolved into Middle English and then modern English, the spelling and pronunciation shifted slightly, but the core meanings of "yet" have remained remarkably consistent. It's a word that has served its purpose well for over a thousand years, indicating time, addition, or contrast
Phrases + Idioms Containing Yet
As yet: meaning up to this time; so far.
Not yet: meaning not at this time, but possibly in the future.
Yet again: meaning another time, especially to emphasize repetition.
Yet another: meaning one more, often implying exasperation or excess.
The best is yet to come: meaning the most enjoyable or successful part is still in the future.
Haven't done X yet: meaning the action X has not been completed up to the present.
More yet: meaning even more.
Yet to be determined: meaning not decided or confirmed at this point.
Yet to be seen: meaning it is still uncertain or unknown.
Have yet to: meaning have not done something by this time.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of yet from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
