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than

THAN/ðæn/

Often confused with then

3 meanings of than

Practice

  1. 1
    compare (thing)preposition
    Used before a noun or number to compare, as in 'longer than two years'.

    My little brother is already taller than our dad.

    It lasted longer than two hours.

    UsageSay taller than me, or taller than I am.

  2. 2
    conjunction
    Used after other, else, rather, or different to show what is left out, not chosen, or not the same.

    I don't want anything other than a glass of water.

    She decided to walk home rather than wait for the bus.

    UsageSay rather than + verb: rather than wait.

    Note
  3. 3
    conjunction
    Used after 'more', 'less' or an '-er' word to compare two things.

    Think of it like the 'versus' in a scoreline.

    My little sister runs faster than I do.

    There were more people than last year.

    UsageWrite than, not then. Say than I do.

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English, where it was a form of a word meaning "then." It comes from older Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts