till

• Till est une conjonction (ainsi qu'une préposition) signifiant « jusqu'à » ou « jusqu'à ce que ». Elle indique qu'une action ou un état se poursuit jusqu'à un moment précis, après lequel il cesse ou change. Très proche de « until » par le sens et l'usage, mais légèrement plus familière et plus fréquente à l'oral et dans l'écrit courant.

Till is a subordinating conjunction (and also a preposition) that means "until". It indicates that an action or state continues up to a certain point in time, after which it stops or changes. It is very similar in meaning and usage to "until", but is slightly more informal and common in spoken English and everyday writing.

1. Till as a subordinating conjunction of time (continuation up to a point)A2formal

   Used to show that the action in the main clause continues only up to the time or event mentioned in the till-clause. It expresses duration with a clear endpoint. Till is interchangeable with until in most cases, though till is often considered slightly less formal.

   jusqu'à ce que

   • Wait till I come back.
   • We worked till the job was finished.
   • She stayed up till midnight reading her book.
   • Don't stop practising till you get it right.
   • They kept dancing till the music stopped.

2. Till in negative constructions (not ... till = only after)B1formal

   When combined with negation in the main clause, "not ... till" emphasizes that something does not happen before the point mentioned. It means the action or event begins only after that time.

   pas avant

   • The shop doesn't open till 9 o'clock.
   • I didn't know the truth till yesterday.
   • We won't start eating till everyone arrives.
   • He couldn't relax till the exam was over.
   • Don't leave till I say so.

3. Till in informal and spoken EnglishA2informal

   Till is especially common in everyday conversation, songs, and informal writing. It can replace "until" without changing the meaning, but it often feels more natural and conversational. It is also frequently used in fixed phrases and idioms.

   jusqu'à (familier)

   • Hang on till I get there.
   • I'm not leaving till you apologize.
   • She laughed till she cried.
   • We'll keep going till we win.
   • Save your money till you need it.

• Nom désignant le tiroir-caisse ou la caisse enregistreuse où l'on range l'argent dans un magasin, ainsi qu'une petite parcelle de terre cultivée pour faire pousser des cultures.

A noun referring to a cash drawer or register used for storing money in a shop, or a small cultivated area of land for growing crops.

1. Cash register drawerA1formalbusiness

   A compartment in a shop where money is kept, also called a till.

   Tiroir-caisse

   • She opened the till to count the day's receipts.
   • The cashier slipped a few notes into the till before leaving.
   • The manager kept the petty‑cash till locked in a safe.

   Synonymesdrawer

2. Glacial till (unsorted sediment)C2formalbritishscientific

   A mixture of clay, sand, gravel and boulders deposited directly by a glacier.

   Till glaciaire

   • Geologists studied the till to determine the glacier's historic extent.
   • The roadbed was built on compacted till, which required special engineering.
   • Samples of the till revealed a variety of rock types from distant mountains.

   Synonymesboulder clay

• Préposition indiquant une limite dans le temps — le moment où une action ou un état se termine ou change (variante moins formelle de 'until').

The preposition 'till' is functionally identical to 'until' and is used to indicate the time when a continuous action, state, or condition stops or changes. It marks the endpoint of a period, often with the implication that something continues up to that specific moment and then possibly stops. 'Till' is considered less formal than 'until' but is very common in everyday speech and writing.

1. Till (up to a specific time or event)A2informal

   Used to indicate that an action or state continues up to a particular point in time or until a specific event happens, after which it may stop or change.

   jusqu'à (temps ou événement)

   • I waited till midnight, but she never came.
   • The store is open till 9 PM on Fridays.
   • He stayed in bed till noon.
   • You have till Friday to submit your assignment.
   • We danced till the music stopped.

2. Till (with negative: before a time)B1informal

   Used in negative sentences to mean 'before' — indicating that something does not happen until a specific time.

   till (sens négatif)

   • I didn't eat anything till dinner.
   • She won't arrive till tomorrow morning.
   • Don't open the door till I tell you.
   • He didn't fall asleep till 3 AM.
   • The results won't be released till next week.

3. Till (up to a limit or condition)B1informal

   Used to indicate the point at which a condition is met or a limit is reached.

   Jusqu'à (point limite ou condition)

   • Keep stirring till the sauce thickens.
   • He pushed himself till he couldn't run anymore.
   • Continue till you reach the traffic lights.
   • Heat the water till it boils.
   • Repeat the exercise till your muscles feel tired.

• Travailler ou préparer le sol pour la culture des plantes agricoles; cultiver la terre.

A verb meaning to cultivate or prepare soil for growing crops; to work the land.

1. Cultivate soilA2formal

   To work the soil, especially by digging, turning, or breaking it up for planting crops.

   travailler le sol

   • The farmer tills the field every spring before sowing wheat.
   • She learned how to till the garden bed during the horticulture class.
   • Modern tractors can till large acres in just a few hours.

   Synonymescultivatedigfarmharrowwork

2. Prepare a cash drawer (archaic/technical)B2informalamericanbusiness

   To place money or receipts into a cash register or to manage the cash drawer.

   Gérer le tiroir-caisse

   • At the end of the shift, the clerk tills the cash drawer and balances the receipts.
   • He was taught how to till the register before taking over the shop.
   • The manager asked her to till the till before the audit.