therefore

American

[thair-fawr, -fohr] / ˈðɛərˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr /

adverb

in consequence of that; as a result; consequently.

I think; therefore I am.

Synonyms:

whence, hence

therefore British

/ ˈðɛəˌfɔː /

thus; hence: used to mark an inference on the speaker's part

those people have their umbrellas up: therefore, it must be raining
consequently; as a result

they heard the warning on the radio and therefore took another route

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Therefore, wherefore, accordingly, consequently, so, then all introduce a statement resulting from, or caused by, what immediately precedes. Therefore (for this or that reason) and wherefore (for which reason) imply exactness of reasoning; they are especially used in logic, law, mathematics, etc., and in a formal style of speaking or writing. Accordingly (in conformity with the preceding) and consequently (as a result, or sequence, or effect of the preceding), although also somewhat formal, occur mainly in less technical contexts. So (because the preceding is true or this being the case) and then (since the preceding is true) are informal or conversational in tone.

Etymology

Origin of therefore

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English ther(e)fore, variant of therfor therefor

Compare meaning

How does therefore compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

therefor vs. therefore

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Each Green candidate on the North East list therefore moves up one place, meaning that Chapman secured the position of lead candidate.

From BBC

“Your options are more limited, and therefore you have to take a little more risk than perhaps you would have wanted to.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Lacking options, many displaced people therefore have to find relatives who can host them or pay exorbitant rents to landlords, explained Fadi Al-Halabi, executive director in Lebanon of the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network.

From Barron's

I imagine that such deposits would no longer be considered “new money,” and therefore would not be eligible for the purchase of a CD at a promotional rate.

From MarketWatch

Ministers are therefore going to increase the basic allowance by 6.2% in April - well above inflation – and have plans to do so for every year until 2029/30.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023