then

then
then [ ðen ] function word ***
Then can be used in the following ways:
as an adverb:
I was still at school then.
as an adjective (only before a noun):
the then prime minister, Harold Wilson
1. ) at that time
a ) at a particular time in the past or in the future:
Did you hear him when he left the house? Yes, I heard him then and when he came back.
a political refugee who was then living in the United States
until/since/by/before then: I can see you next weekend. Can you wait until then?
Back in 1950 Bourton was a sleepy little village, but things have changed a lot since then.
b ) used for referring to the person who had a particular job or position at a particular time in the past:
the then president/governor/owner etc.: the then Secretary of State, Warren Christopher
My grandfather rented 120 Church Street from the then owners, W. Collins and Sons.
2. ) happening next used for introducing the next thing that happens:
He glanced quickly at Sally and then looked away again.
Add the numbers together first then multiply.
First Lewis will give a TV interview. Then comes the main news conference.
3. ) as a result
a ) SPOKEN used at the end of a question when you think something must be true because of what has just been said:
We went to the same school. You're old friends then?
You're not angry with me, then?
b ) used for saying what the result must be if something is true:
He won't resign. Then we'll have to force him to leave.
if...then: If no one else is willing, then I'll have to do the job myself.
c ) LITERARY used when you are stating the result of the events you have been describing:
This, then, was the problem that faced him he could not do his duty without betraying his friends.
4. ) used for showing agreement SPOKEN used at the end of a conversation for showing that you think something has been agreed on:
All right then, I'll see you back at the hotel.
So that's agreed then dinner for eight on Christmas Day.
now then/right then/okay then
used for getting someone's attention when you are starting to talk about something new:
Now then, I want to ask you all a serious question.
Right then, are we ready to start?

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • then — [then] adv. [ME: see THAN] 1. at that time [he was young then] 2. soon afterward; next in time [he took his hat and then left] 3. next in order [first comes alpha and then beta] 4. in that case; therefore; accordingly: used with conjunctive f …   English World dictionary

  • Then — ([th][e^]n), adv. [Originally the same word as than. See {Than}.] 1. At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future). [1913 Webster] And the Canaanite was then in the land. Gen. xii. 6. [1913 Webster] Now I know in part; but… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Then — Then, conj. 1. Than. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. In that case; in consequence; as a consequence; therefore; for this reason. [1913 Webster] If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom. Locke. [1913 Webster] Now, then, be all thy… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • then — Use of then as an adjective as in the then President, to mean ‘at that time’, has been continuous since the 16c and is acceptable despite occasional objections to it. Less acceptable, however, is the type with an adjective following then,… …   Modern English usage

  • Then — is a common adverb in English, indicating the apodosis of a conditional sentence. It is never equivalent to or synonymous with the conjunction than (although in a small number of accents the two may be considered homophones) nor the adjective… …   Wikipedia

  • then — adverb of time, from O.E. þanne, þænne, þonne, from P.Gmc. *thana (Cf. O.Fris. thenne, O.S. thanna, Du. dan, O.H.G. danne, Ger. dann), from PIE demonstrative pronoun root *to (see THE (Cf. the)). For further sense development, see …   Etymology dictionary

  • then — ► ADVERB 1) at that time. 2) after that; next. 3) also. 4) therefore. ● but then (again) Cf. ↑but then again ● then and there Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • then — [adv1] before; at another time again, all at once, anon, at that instant, at that moment, at that point, at that time, before long, formerly, later, next, on that occasion, soon after, suddenly, thereupon, when, years ago; concept 799 then [adv2] …   New thesaurus

  • then — index late (defunct) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Then- — [vermutlich Kurzw. aus Thiophen ]: Trivialstamm in Bez. von Verb., die sich von 2 Methylthiophen ableiten, z. B. Thenoesäure, Thenyl …   Universal-Lexikon

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