First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1then
adverb \ˈthen\
: at that time : at the time mentioned
—used to indicate what happened or happens next
—used to indicate what should be done next
Full Definition of THEN
1
: at that time
2
a : soon after that : next in order of time <walked to the door, then turned> b : following next after in order of position, narration, or enumeration : being next in a series <first came the clowns, and then came the elephants> c : in addition : besides <then there is the interest to be paid>
3
a (1) : in that case <take it, then, if you want it so much> (2) —used after but to qualify or offset a preceding statement <she lost the race, but then she never really expected to win> b : according to that : as may be inferred <your mind is made up, then> c : as it appears : by way of summing up <the cause of the accident, then, is established> d : as a necessary consequence <if the angles are equal, then the complements are equal>
— and then some
: with much more in addition <would require all his strength and then some>
See then defined for English-language learners
See then defined for kids
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Origin of THEN
Middle English than, then then, than, from Old English thonne, thænne; akin to Old High German denne then, than, Old English thæt that
Related to THEN
2then
noun
: that time
Full Definition of THEN
: that time <since then, he's been more cautious>
See then defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THEN
14th century
3then
adjective
: existing at or belonging to the time mentioned
Full Definition of THEN
: existing or acting at or belonging to the time mentioned <the then secretary of state>
See then defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THEN
1584
THEN[1] Defined for Kids
1then
adverb \ˈthen\
Definition of THEN for Kids
1
: at that time <People then believed in dragons.>
2
: soon after that : next <Go two blocks, then turn left.>
3
: in addition : besides <Then there are the dishes to wash.>
4
: in that case <Take it, then, if you want it so badly.>
5
: as an expected result <If you were there, then you must have seen me.>
2then
noun
Definition of THEN for Kids
: that time <Wait until then.>
3then
adjective
Definition of THEN for Kids
: existing or acting at that time <the then president>
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