till

• Till 是连词（也可作介词），意思是“直到”“到……为止”，表示某个动作或状态一直持续到某一时刻，之后便停止或改变。它与 until 意思和用法非常接近，但更偏口语，常见于日常说话和非正式书面语中。

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.

   时间从属连词（持续到某时）

   • 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.

   用于否定结构（not ... till = 直到……才）

   • 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.

   Till 在口语和非正式用语中

   • 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.

• 名词，指商店里存放现金的抽屉或收银机（收银台），也指耕作过的土地或农田。

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.

   收银抽屉

   • 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.

   同义词drawer

2. Glacial till (unsorted sediment)C2formalbritishscientific

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

   冰碛（未分选沉积物）

   • 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.

   同义词boulder clay

• 介词，表示时间上的界限，即某个动作或状态结束或发生变化的时刻（比“until”更口语化）。

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.

   直到（某个时间或事件）

   • 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.

   直到……才（用于否定句）

   • 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.

   直到（条件或限度）

   • 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.

• 耕作或翻松土地以准备种植农作物；也泛指耕种土地。

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.

   耕种土地

   • 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.

   同义词cultivatedigfarmharrowwork

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

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

   准备钱箱

   • 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.