then

[ then ]

adverb

1. at that time:

   Prices were lower then.

2. immediately or soon afterward:

   The rain stopped and then started again.

3. next in order of time:

   We ate, then we started home.

4. at the same time:

   At first the water seemed blue, then gray.

5. next in order of place:

   Standing beside Charlie is my uncle, then my cousin, then my brother.

6. in addition; besides; also:

   I love my job, and then it pays so well.

7. in that case; as a consequence; in those circumstances:

   If you're sick, then you should stay in bed.

8. since that is so; as it appears; therefore:

   You have, then, found the mistake?

   You are leaving tonight then.

adjective

1. being; being such; existing or being at the time indicated:

   the then prime minister.

noun

1. that time:

   We have not been back since then.

   Till then, farewell.

then

/ ðɛn /

adverb

1. at that time; over that period of time
2. sentence modifier in that case; that being so

   go on then, take it

   if he comes, then you'll have to leave

   then why don't you ask her?

3. then and there
   See there

sentence connector

1. after that; with that

   then John left the room and didn't return

noun

1. that time

   before then

   from then on

adjective

1. prenominal existing, functioning, etc, at that time

   the then prime minister

Word History and Origins

Origin of then¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English than(n)e, then(ne), Old English thonne, thanne, thænne; than; akin to that

Word History and Origins

Origin of then¹

Old English thenne; related to Old Saxon, Old High German thanna; see than

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. but then, but on the other hand:

   I found their conversation very dull, but then I have different tastes.

2. then and there, at that precise time and place; at once; on the spot: Also there and then.

   I started to pack my things right then and there.

More idioms and phrases containing then

• and then some
• every now and then

Synonym Study

See therefore.

Example Sentences

Transcription initiation sites are locations in the DNA where a specialized transcription-factor protein can attach and then build an mRNA copy of the gene in front of it.

From Science Daily

And yes, he’s put in time since then on the road as an opening act for more established country stars such as Morgan Wallen and Cole Swindell.

From Los Angeles Times

In practicality, many importers incur these costs themselves and then pass some of these costs onto consumers so that these businesses can maintain healthy profit margins.

From Salon

Under the current rules, tenants have to repay this discount to the council if they then sell the property on within five years of buying.

From BBC

His long career in journalism began in newspapers, at the News Letter in the late 1970s and then as sports editor of the now-defunct Sunday News in the mid-1980s.

From BBC

Related Words

• again
• formerly
• later
• next
• suddenly

Then Vs. Than

What’s the difference between then and than?

Then is a very common word that’s used in situations involving what comes next—either in terms of time (as in Just then, the door opened or We saw a movie and then we drove home) or a result (as in If you forget to water the plants, then they will wilt). Than is a very common word used in comparisons, as in She’s a little older than you or This hot sauce is a lot spicier than that one.

Grammatically speaking, then is used as an adverb or adjective, while than is used as a conjunction or preposition.

Perhaps the most common way the two words are confused is when then is used when it should be than, but doing the reverse is also a common mistake.

One way to tell if you’re using the right word is to remember that then is usually used to indicate what comes next, and then and next are both spelled with the letter e.

Here’s an example of then and than used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: If you want to be an expert, then you’ll need more experience than you have now.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between then and than.

Quiz yourself on then vs. than!

Should then or than be used in the following sentence?

I went to the grocery store, _____ the dry cleaners.