Added 9 October 2026
therefore
/ˈðɛə.fɔː/ adverb
In Latin: igitur Wiktionary
adverb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about therefore at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result.
therefore X must be true
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As a consequence.
he had good reason to be grateful for the opportunities which they had made available to him and which consequently led to the good position he now held
Origin
From Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)