# then

Pronunciation: say "THEN" /ðɛn/

## Adverb

1. Next, or after that, in time or in order.
   - Simple: After that, or next in time or in a list.
   - _We had dinner and then watched a film._
   - _Boil the water, then add the rice._
2. In that case, or that being so.
   - Simple: In that case, as a result of what was just said.
   - _If nobody objects, then the motion is carried._
   - _So you're staying, then?_
3. At that time, a time already mentioned or understood.
   - Simple: At that time, in the past or the future.
   - _Prices were much lower then._
   - _We didn't know each other then._
6. At the same time, or on the other hand, used in but then or then again to balance a remark.
   - Simple: On the other hand, used in 'but then' to balance a remark.
   - _She's a slow reader, but then, she remembers every detail of what she reads._
   - _Then again, we could just stay at home._
7. In addition, besides, or also, used to add a further point.
   - Simple: Also, in addition to what was said.
   - _The flat is cold and damp, and then there is the rent to think about._
   - _And then there is the question of money._
8. Added as a tag to a flat contradiction to stress it. *(dialectal, UK)*
   - Simple: In British dialect, added to a denial to make it stronger, as in 'they're not then'.
   - _"That's my seat." "It isn't then. I was here first."_
   - _"You never told her about the party." "I did then, I rang her on Tuesday!"_

## Noun

4. That time, used after a preposition.
   - Simple: That time, used as a noun after 'before', 'by' or 'until'.
   - _By then the shops had closed._
   - _We have not seen him since then._

## Adjective

5. Being so at that time, used before a title or role that has since changed.
   - Simple: Holding a job or role at that time, as in 'the then mayor'.
   - _The report was signed by the then chief executive._
   - _Her then husband ran the shop._

## Origin

From Middle English then(ne), from Old English þonne ("then, at that time"), from Proto-Germanic *þan, probably ultimately from a form of the Proto-Indo-European demonstrative meaning "that." It is related to Dutch dan, German dann, and Swedish då, and is a doublet of "than."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/then (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).