then

American  

[then] / ðɛn /

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.

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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.

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.

then British  

/ ðɛn /

adverb

1. at that time; over that period of time

2. (sentence modifier) in that case; that being so

   then why don't you ask her?

   if he comes, then you'll have to leave

   go on then, take it

3. See there

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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

then More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing then

• and then some
• every now and then

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Usage

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.

Related Words

See therefore.

Etymology

Origin of then

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

Explanation

Then is a word that puts things in order by time, or refers to a moment in time: you get up; then you have breakfast. You're married now; back then, you were single. The word then can also be used as a consequence, often after the word if. If you watch the kids, then I will clean the house. Don't confuse then with than, which sounds similar. Than is used to compare two things: I like spaghetti better than macaroni and cheese. Then is about time or consequence: you eat dinner, then get dessert. If you're good, then maybe you'll get a big dessert.

Example Sentences

Stocks tend to suffer because of that pre-midterm uncertainty and then soar as that uncertainty is resolved.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

They found the representation of minorities rose less than one percentage point between 2005 and 2015, then by four times that amount from 2015 to 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The league then suspended him for 20 games.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

McIlroy will enjoy this victory, take the next fortnight off, then return to action before next month's US PGA Championship at Aronimink, near Philadelphia.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

I put my guitar into the case and click it shut, then study our other bandmate, Awesiinh, who is air drumming.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• again
• formerly
• later
• next
• suddenly