then

/ðɛn/

/ðɛn/

Other forms: thens

Then is a word that puts things in order by time, or refers to a moment in time: you get up; then you have breakfast. You're married now; back then, you were single.

The word then can also be used as a consequence, often after the word if. If you watch the kids, then I will clean the house. Don't confuse then with than, which sounds similar. Than is used to compare two things: I like spaghetti better than macaroni and cheese. Then is about time or consequence: you eat dinner, then get dessert. If you're good, then maybe you'll get a big dessert.

Definitions of then

1. adverb

   at that time
   “I was young then”

   “prices were lower back then”

   “science as it was then taught”
2. adverb

   subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
   “then he left”

   “go left first, then right”

   “first came lightning, then thunder”

   synonyms: and so, and then, so
3. noun

   that time; that moment
   “we will arrive before then”

   “we were friends from then on”

   type of:

   point, point in time

   an instant of time
4. adjective

   at a specific prior time
   “the then president”

   synonyms:

   past

   earlier than the present time; no longer current
5. adverb

   in that case or as a consequence
   “if he didn't take it, then who did?”

   “keep it then if you want to”

   “the case, then, is closed”

   “you've made up your mind then?”

   “then you'll be rich”