Therefore

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈðɛəfɔː/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈðɛɹfɔɹ/
• Hyphenation: there + fore
• Homophones: therefor (second syllable stressed)

Origin

From the Old English pronominal adverb therfore; see there, fore, and for. Compare Dutch daarvoor, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför, därföre.

Full definition of therefore

Adverb

1. (conjunctive) For that or this purpose, referring to something previously stated.
• Authorized Version|Luke|14|20I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come.
• Authorized Version|Matthew|19|27Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
2. (conjunctive) Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated.
• 1637, René Descartes, Discourse on the Method, Je pense, donc je suis (I think, therefore I am)
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 1, In the old days, to my commonplace and unobserving mind, he gave no evidences of genius whatsoever. He never read me any of his manuscripts, …, and therefore my lack of detection of his promise may in some degree be pardoned.
• 2012, w, Well-connected Brains, Creating a complete map of the human connectome would therefore be a monumental milestone but not the end of the journey to understanding how our brains work.
• unknown date, SpectatorHe blushes; therefore he is guilty.

Synonyms

• (for that purpose) so, thus, to that end, to this end
• (consequently) hence, then, thus, accordingly, as a result, ∴ math

Derived terms

• I think; therefore I am