Definition of 'then'

Word Frequency

then

(ðen)

1. adverb

Then means at a particular time in the past or in the future.

He wanted an income after his retirement; until then, he wouldn't require additionalmoney.

The clinic opened for business last October and since then has treated more than200 people.

I spent years on the dole trying to get bands together and I never worried aboutmoney then.

Synonyms: at that time, in those days, at that point, at that moment More Synonyms of then

2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Then is used when you refer to something which was true at a particular time in the past but is not true now.

The bill was enacted by the then Labour Government.

He was known by many for his role in the then record-breaking robbery of the mailtrain from Glasgow to London in August 1963.

Then is also an adverb.

Richard Strauss, then 76 years old, suffered through the war years in silence.

Roberts was then a newly married man.

3. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You use then to say that one thing happens after another, or is after another on a list.

Add the oil and then the scallops to the pan, leaving a little space for the garlic.

I felt myself blush. Then I sniffed back a tear.

The couple worked at first individually and then together.

Synonyms: after that, later, next, afterwards More Synonyms of then

4. adverb

You use then in conversation to indicate that what you are about to say follows logically in some way from what has just been said or implied.

'I wasn't a very good scholar at school.'—'What did you like doing best then?'

You're not gonna tell me, are you? Do I have to guess, then?

'I got a load of money out of them.'—'So you're okay, then.'

5. adverb

You use then at the end of a topic or at the end of a conversation.

'I can meet you after work. Six o'clock?'—'Fine.'—'Six o'clock, then?'.

He stood up. 'That's settled then.'.

'I'll talk to you on Friday anyway.'—'Yep. Okay then.'

6. adverb [adv ADV]

You use then with words like 'now', 'well', and 'okay', to introduce a new topic or a new point of view.

Now then, you say you walk on the fields out the back?

Well then, I'll put the kettle on and make us some tea.

Okay then let me ask how you do that.

7. adverb [ADVERB with cl]

You use then to introduce a summary of what you have said or the conclusions that you are drawing from it.

[written]

This, then, was the music that dominated in the mid-1960s.

By 1931, then, France alone in Europe was a country of massive immigration.

8. adverb

You use then to introduce the second part of a sentence which begins with 'if'. The first part of the sentence describes a possible situation, and then introduces the result of the situation.

If the answer is 'yes', then we must decide on an appropriate course of action.

Synonyms: in that case, that being so, that being the case, it follows that More Synonyms of then

9. adverb

You use then at the beginning of a sentence or after 'and' or 'but' to introduce a comment or an extra piece of information to what you have already said.

We have to do a lot of reading, and then we have essays to write.

He sounded sincere, but then, he always did.

Synonyms: in addition, also, as well, moreover More Synonyms of then

10. now and then

11. there and then

Video: pronunciation of
then

then in British English

(ðɛn)

adverb

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. then and there

sentence connector

after that; with that

then John left the room and didn't return

noun

that time

before then

from then on

adjective

6. (prenominal)

existing, functioning, etc, at that time

the then prime minister

Word origin

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

Word Frequency

then in American English

(ðɛn)

adverb

at that time

he was young then

soon afterward; next in time

he took his hat and then left

next in order

first comes alpha and then beta

in that case; therefore; accordingly

used with conjunctive force

if it rains, then there will be no picnic

besides; moreover

he likes to walk, and then it's good exercise

at another time or at other times

used as a correlative with now, sometimes, etc.

now it's warm, then freezing

adjective

of that time; being such at that time

the then director

noun

that time

by then, they were gone

Idioms:

Word origin

ME: see than

Word Frequency

then in American English

(t̸hen)

adverb

at that time

Prices were lower then

immediately or soon afterward

The rain stopped and then started again

next in order of time

We ate, then we started home

at the same time

At first the water seemed blue, then gray

next in order of place

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

in addition; besides; also

I love my job, and then it pays so well

in that case; as a consequence; in those circumstances

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

since that is so; as it appears; therefore

You have, then, found the mistake?

You are leaving tonight then

9. See but then

10. See then and there

adjective

11.

being; being such; existing or being at the time indicated

the then prime minister

noun

12.

that time

We have not been back since then. Till then, farewell

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME then(ne), than(n)e, OE thonne, thanne, thænne; cf. than; akin to that]

Examples of 'then' in a sentence
then

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Then we take a chill pill for a second and we just listen.This can then be used to warn people that the driver is about to open the door.He must up his game between now and then.Your staff told me to eat less and then you would like me more.Spot that and then get out of its way was his method.Staff have not been paid since then and many health workers have gone home.If an arm span represents time then we are just the shaving of a fingernail.We chatted for hours then went back to his.Stir the rice into the vegetables then add the brown crab meat.Warm through then return the meat.