therefore

A2 Topic:Mind & Cognition

Also spelled Theerfore

US /ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/ UK /ˈðɛə.fɔː/ See IPA manual

Homophones

therefor /ðɛɹˈfɔɹ/

adv Freq #2331

Meanings

1

adv
For that reason; as a result.

The road was closed, and therefore we had to find another route.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adv · for that reason; as a result. consequently hence so thus

More accordinglyergopursuantly subsequently then thence thereby whence wherefore

Opposites

nevertheless

Word family

Related forms henceafterhenceforth henceforward henceforwardshencefromhereabout hereaboutshereabovehereafterhereaftershereagainsthereamong

Etymology

From Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.

therfore Middle English

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Topics

Mind & Cognition

# therefore

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adv
**IPA (US):** ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ
**IPA (UK):** ˈðɛə.fɔː
**Frequency rank:** 2331

## Meanings
1. For that reason; as a result.

## Examples
- The road was closed, and therefore we had to find another route.

## Synonyms
- accordingly
- consequently
- ergo
- pursuantly
- subsequently
- then
- thence
- thereby
- thus
- whence
- wherefore

## Antonyms
- nevertheless

## Related Forms
- henceafter
- henceforth
- henceforward
- henceforwards
- hencefrom
- hereabout
- hereabouts
- hereabove
- hereafter
- hereafters
- hereagainst
- hereamong

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: therfore

## Etymology
From Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.

## AI Etymology
Therefore is from Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.

## Topics
- Mind & Cognition

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