hence

/hɛns/

/hɛns/

Hence means "for this reason," or "therefore." One Hollywood starlet is a huge fan of tiny dogs, hence the Pomeranian puppy peeking out of her purse.

Hence not only means "therefore." It can also mean forward from this time. Nine months hence, a baby that has just been conceived will enter the world kicking and screaming. These days, you're more likely to hear the word hence in a movie set a hundred years ago than in casual conversation because it has a very old-fashioned ring to it.

Definitions of hence

1. adverb

   (used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
   “the eggs were fresh and hence satisfactory”

   synonyms: so, thence, therefore, thus
2. adverb

   from this time
   “a year hence it will be forgotten”
3. adverb

   from this place
   “get thee hence!”