DictionaryAI

therefore

adverb
THAIR-for/ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/UKTHAIR-faw/ˈðɛə.fɔː/

2 meanings of therefore

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    As a result of what was just stated; for that reason or cause.

    The bridge failed its safety inspection and will therefore stay closed until repairs are finished.

    He had broken the rules and therefore faced disqualification from the tournament.

    UsageMore formal than so. In careful writing, link clauses with a period, semicolon or and: it rained; therefore, we stayed.

    Similarconsequently, thus, hence, accordingly, so

    Note

    The word spells out its own logic. Middle English therfore joined there and for, literally "for that (reason)." Its -fore spelling comes from linking the ending with fore. The King James Bible of 1611 already uses it this way: "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come."

  2. 2
    adverbarchaic
    For that or for it, in reference to something previously named.
    Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James Version
    Note

    Here the for inside the word keeps its plain meaning, "for that" or "for it," pointing back to a thing rather than drawing a conclusion. The King James Bible of 1611 asks, "what shall we have therefore?", where "what shall we get for it" is one natural reading. Because the sense is archaic, modern readers will hear the "consequently" meaning, so for it is safer outside period style.

    Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • The historical sense retains the meaning 'for that' or 'for it', referring back to something previously mentioned. en.wiktionary.org
    • The King James Bible was first published in 1611. en.wikipedia.org
    • Matthew 19:27 contains the quoted question, asked by Peter; its context supports the reading 'what shall we get for it'. The quotation modernizes the spelling. kingjamesbibleonline.org

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Origin

From Middle English therfore (also therfor, tharfore), a univerbation of there (a pronominal adverb) plus for, literally "for that reason." The spelling shifted after it was reanalyzed as there + fore ("forward from that"). It is related to Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, and Swedish därför.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • The word comes from Middle English therfore, also spelled therfor and tharfore, formed by joining pronominal there and for, literally meaning 'for that reason.' en.wiktionary.org
  • The spelling changed through reanalysis as there + fore, literally 'forward from that.' en.wiktionary.org
  • The listed Dutch, German, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish words are related formations. en.wiktionary.org