therefore

[thair-fawr, -fohr]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR therefore ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

in consequence of that; as a result; consequently: I think; therefore I am.

Origin of therefore

1125–75; Middle English ther(e)fore, variant of therfor therefor

Can be confusedtherefor therefore

Synonyms for therefore

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR therefore ON THESAURUS.COM

hence, whence.

Synonym study

Therefore, wherefore, accordingly, consequently, so, then all introduce a statement resulting from, or caused by, what immediately precedes. Therefore (for this or that reason) and wherefore (for which reason) imply exactness of reasoning; they are especially used in logic, law, mathematics, etc., and in a formal style of speaking or writing. Accordingly (in conformity with the preceding) and consequently (as a result, or sequence, or effect of the preceding), although also somewhat formal, occur mainly in less technical contexts. So (because the preceding is true or this being the case) and then (since the preceding is true) are informal or conversational in tone.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for therefore

so, accordingly, thus, then, hence, consequently, thence, ergo, for, since, thereupon, wherefore, whence, therefrom

Examples from the Web for therefore

Contemporary Examples of therefore

Therefore, it is not possible for any F-35 schedule to include a video data link or infrared pointer at this point.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal
Dave Majumdar
January 8, 2015
It's cheesy and ludicrous and, therefore, delightful; it's the reading equivalent of hate-watching.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits
Emily Shire
January 7, 2015
Therefore, some Democrats are under pressure to take policy actions their union allies oppose.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats
Daniel DiSalvo
December 29, 2014
Therefore, we should—you guessed it—develop the Canadian tar sands and build the Keystone pipeline.
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline
Jay Michaelson
December 28, 2014
This may be the case—but it is not remotely plausible evidence that this attack was therefore orchestrated by North Korea.
No, North Korea Didn’t Hack Sony
Marc Rogers
December 24, 2014

Historical Examples of therefore

The searchers, therefore, were directed to beat up the near-by country.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
More than a bare recital of the wretched facts, therefore, is not seemly.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
As a foil to his austerity, therefore, she would be audaciously gay in his presence.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Nevertheless, I have many things to thank him for, and therefore he deserves praise.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
From that time, therefore, Captain Rushton was known as Mr. Smith.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger

British Dictionary definitions for therefore

therefore

sentence connector

thus; hence: used to mark an inference on the speaker's partthose people have their umbrellas up: therefore, it must be raining

consequently; as a resultthey heard the warning on the radio and therefore took another route

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for therefore

adv.

Old English þærfore; from there + fore, Old English and Middle English collateral form of for. Since c.1800, therefor has been used in sense of "for that, by reason of that;" and therefore in sense of "in consequence of that."