than
0 antonyms and opposites of than, grouped by meaning.
Conj — Used to introduce the second part of a comparison.
We haven't recorded synonyms for than yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
Etymology
From Old English þonne — originally the same word as "then," which split off as a separate spelling for comparisons.
Full origin of than →Frequently asked questions
What does “than” mean?
The word “than” means used to introduce the second part of a comparison. In plain terms, the word you use right after a comparative like "bigger," "better," or "more" to say what something is being compared to.
How do you pronounce “than”?
“Than” is pronounced than (/ðæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “than” in a sentence?
Here is “than” used in a sentence: “She runs faster than her brother.”
What part of speech is “than”?
“Than” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “than” come from?
The word “than” comes from Old English. From Old English þonne — originally the same word as "then," which split off as a separate spelling for comparisons.
Is “than” a common word?
“Than” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between than and then?
"Than" introduces the second part of a comparison ("faster than light"), while "then" relates to time or consequence ("we ate, then left"; "if that's true, then I'm wrong"). If you are comparing two things, the word you need is always "than."
Is it "than me" or "than I"?
Both are widely accepted. "Taller than me" treats "than" as a preposition and is standard in everyday English; "taller than I (am)" treats it as a conjunction and suits formal writing. Adding the verb — "than I am" — avoids the debate entirely.
Do you say "different than" or "different from"?
"Different from" is the traditional and safest choice in both British and American English ("this is different from that"). "Different than" is common in American English, especially before a clause ("different than I expected"), while British English also uses "different to."
Is it "no sooner... than" or "no sooner... when"?
The standard pairing is "no sooner... than," as in "no sooner had we left than it started to rain," because "sooner" is a comparative and comparatives take "than." "No sooner... when" is a common error to avoid in careful writing.