then

1 of 3

adverb

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
: as a necessary consequence
if the angles are equal, then the complements are equal
b(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
c
: according to that : as may be inferred
your mind is made up, then
d
: as it appears : by way of summing up
the cause of the accident, then, is established

then

2 of 3

noun

: that time
since then, he's been more cautious

then

3 of 3

adjective

: existing or acting at or belonging to the time mentioned
the then secretary of state
Phrases
and then some
: with much more in addition
would require all his strength and then some

Examples of then in a Sentence

Adverb She lived in the Soviet Union, as it then was called. Just then he walked in. Back then, he was living in New York. Noun Since then, I've been more careful. He advised me to wait until then. They'll announce their decision next week. Until then, she'll just have to hope for the best. We should get there before then. They were friends from then on. Nothing like that had ever happened up to then.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
When asked of his plans after leaving T-Mobile Center, first on his list was to, of course, hang out with his parents, and then make the trip back to Columbia. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024 But after the order expires and that person to retrieve weapons, the local law enforcement agency is only required to notify the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which must then conduct a criminal background check. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for then 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'then.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English than, then then, than, from Old English thonne, thænne; akin to Old High German denne then, than, Old English thæt that

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of then was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near then

Cite this Entry

“Then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/then. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

then

1 of 3 adverb
1
: at that time
it was then believed the world was flat
2
: soon after that
walked to the door, then turned
3
a
: following next after in order
first came the clowns, then came the elephants
b
: in addition : besides
then there are the pots and pans to wash
4
a
: in that case
take it, then, if you want it so much
b
: according to that
your mind is made up, then
c
: as it appears
the case, then, is closed
d
: as a necessary result
if you were there, then you saw me

then

2 of 3 noun
ˈt͟hen
: that time
wait until then

then

3 of 3 adjective
ˈt͟hen
: existing or acting at or belonging to the time mentioned
the then governor

More from Merriam-Webster on then

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