then

then: then¹ W1S1 [ðen] adv

[: Old English; Origin: thonne, thAnne]

1.) at a particular time in the past or future

▪ I wish I had known then what I know now.

▪ It was then that I realised she'd tricked me.

▪ He started his career in St Petersburg - or Leningrad as it then was.

by/until/since then

▪ They're sending out the results next week, so we won't know anything until then.

▪ It was late evening when the doctor arrived, and by then it was too late.

▪ That was in 1970. Since then the place has changed a lot.

▪ They met in 1942 and from then on (=starting at that time) they were firm friends.

▪ Silently she closed the door. Just then she heard a noise.

▪ I was paid £1000, which was a lot of money back then (=a long time ago when things were different) in the 1950s.

2.) used to say what happens next or what you do next

▪ Mix the flour and butter, then add the eggs.

▪ Byron travelled to Italy and then to Greece.

3.)

a) used when saying what the result of a situation or action will be

▪ If you won't tell him, then I will.

▪ Start off early, then you won't have to rush.

b) spoken used when you think that something is probably true because of what you know about the situation

▪ Still in your pyjamas? Have you just got out of bed then?

4.) but then (again)

used to say that although something is true, something else is also true which makes the first thing seem less important

▪ William didn't succeed first time, but then very few people do.

▪ Elaine's father might lend them the money, but then again he might not.

5.) spoken

a) used at the beginning of a conversation or activity

▪ Now then, what would you like to do today?

▪ Right then, shall we start?

b) used at the end of a conversation, especially to show that something has been agreed

▪ Good, that's settled then. We'll all meet here next Wednesday.

▪ Okay then, I'll see you at work.

c) used to show that you are saying something because of what someone has just said

▪ 'We're late.' 'We'd better hurry, then.'

▪ 'Friday's no good.' 'Then how about Saturday?'

6.) used to add something to what you have just mentioned

▪ We have to invite your parents and my parents, and then there's your brother.

7.) used to refer back to what you have just been talking about

▪ This then was the situation facing the government at the end of the war.

8.) then and there also there and then

immediately

▪ He wasn't prepared to wait - he wanted the money then and there.

→(every) now and then at ↑now¹(5)

then ²

then² adj [only before noun]

used when mentioning the person who had a particular job, title, or position at a time in the past

▪ a visit to China by the then US President, Richard Nixon

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Synonyms:

At that time / Afterwards, afterward, soon afterward / Therefore, for this reason, on that account / At another time, hereafter, sooner or later / That time, In that case, in consequence, therefore

Look at other dictionaries:

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 — 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 — I. adverb Etymology: Middle English than, then then, than, from Old English thonne, thænne; akin to Old High German denne then, than, Old English thæt that Date: before 12th century 1. at that time 2. a. soon after that ; next in order of time … New Collegiate Dictionary
then — See: AND THEN SOME, EVERY NOW AND THEN, NOW AND THEN … Dictionary of American idioms
then — See: AND THEN SOME, EVERY NOW AND THEN, NOW AND THEN … Dictionary of American idioms
Then and Now — may refer to:Music* Then Now (Asia album) , a 1990 album by the band Asia * Then and Now (The Who album), a 2004 compilation album by British band The Who * Then and Now (ELP), a 1998 album by Emerson, Lake and Palmer * Then and Now (Nik Kershaw… … Wikipedia
then and there — {adv. phr.} At that very time and place in the past; right then. * /He said he wanted his dime back then and there, so I had to give it to him./ Compare: IN ONE S TRACKS, ON THE SPOT, HERE AND NOW … Dictionary of American idioms
then and there — {adv. phr.} At that very time and place in the past; right then. * /He said he wanted his dime back then and there, so I had to give it to him./ Compare: IN ONE S TRACKS, ON THE SPOT, HERE AND NOW … Dictionary of American idioms
Then Came You — can refer to: *Then Came You (song), a 1974 hit single by Dionne Warwick and The Spinners . *Then Came You (album), a 1975 album by Dionne Warwick *Then Came You (TV Series), an ABC television comedy which aired in 2000 … Wikipedia
Then Jerico — were a British rock band from the late 1980s who enjoyed limited success with two albums: * First (The Sound Of Music) 1987. This album reached number 35 in the UK Albums Chart. * The Big Area 1989. This album went gold and reached number 4 in… … Wikipedia

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Dictionary of contemporary English

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