hence
HEHNS
Hence (adverb) means For this reason; therefore. Example: “The bridge is closed for repairs, hence the long detour.”
adverb
1
For this reason; therefore.
"The bridge is closed for repairs, hence the long detour."
"Sales dropped sharply, hence the sudden layoffs."
"He has a broken leg, hence his absence from the match."
2
From this time onward, or from this place; used in slightly old-fashioned or formal phrasing.
"Ten years hence, the town looked nothing like it used to."
"Three weeks hence, the garden will be full of flowers."
"Let us meet a year hence and compare how far we have come."
How to use hence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal way of saying "therefore" or "as a result", or, less commonly, "from now"/"from here".
When to use it
Fairly formal — in everyday speech people usually just say "so" or "that's why" instead.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- hences
- Past tense
- henced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bridge is closed for repairs, _____ the long detour.
Etymology
From Middle English hennes, ultimately from Old English heonan meaning "from here" — related to the word "here".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hence
See all rhymes for hence →Frequently asked questions
What does “hence” mean?
The word “hence” means for this reason; therefore. In plain terms, a formal way of saying "therefore" or "as a result", or, less commonly, "from now"/"from here".
How do you pronounce “hence”?
“Hence” is pronounced HEHNS (/ˈhɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “hence” in a sentence?
Here is “hence” used in a sentence: “The bridge is closed for repairs, hence the long detour.”
What is the opposite of “hence”?
The opposite of “hence” — its antonyms — is hither.
What part of speech is “hence”?
“Hence” is an adverb.
Where does the word “hence” come from?
The word “hence” comes from Old English. From Middle English hennes, ultimately from Old English heonan meaning "from here" — related to the word "here".
Is “hence” a common word?
“Hence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “hence” have?
“Hence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: for this reason; therefore.
What is the difference between hence and therefore?
Both hence and therefore mean "for this reason." Therefore usually introduces a full clause ("The road was closed; therefore, we turned back"), while hence very often introduces just a noun phrase ("The road was closed, hence the delay"). Hence also tends to sound slightly more formal or literary.
Is it correct to say "hence why"?
"Hence why" is widely considered redundant, because hence already means "for this reason" — adding "why" repeats the idea. In careful writing, use "hence the confusion" or "which is why there was confusion" instead.
Does hence need a comma?
When hence begins a sentence as a linking adverb, it is usually followed by a comma: "Hence, the plan was abandoned." When it introduces a noun phrase mid-sentence, a comma or semicolon typically comes before it: "Sales fell sharply, hence the layoffs."
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