adverb

hitherto

/hɪðərˈtuː/ · say it: HITH·er·too

until now

In Formal & Academic

In more detail

until now; up to the present time

Examples

The company has hitherto focused on domestic markets, but now plans to expand internationally.

How to use hitherto

Hitherto is a formal, somewhat archaic adverb used to indicate that something has been true or the case up until the present moment. It often appears in written English, particularly in academic, legal, or literary contexts, frequently paired with adjectives beginning with 'un-' to emphasize novelty or a shift in circumstances. It is rarely used in everyday speech.

Common phrases

hitherto unknown
hitherto undiscovered
hitherto unseen
hitherto unpublished
hitherto unattainable

Synonyms

so far · until now · up to now · heretofore · thus far

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse hitherto with hereafter or hereby, or use it in casual conversation where 'so far' or 'until now' would be more natural and idiomatic.

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