then
thehn
Then (adv) means At that time (in the past or future). Example: “We were still in school then.”
adv
1
At that time (in the past or future).
"We were still in school then."
"Come back at noon — I'll be free then."
"My grandfather lived in a small village then, far from any town."
2
Next in a sequence of events or steps.
"Add the eggs, then whisk until smooth."
"Pour the milk into the pan, then stir it gently for a minute."
"First we parked the car, then we walked along the beach to the cafe."
3
As a consequence; in that case.
"If you're tired, then go to bed."
"If the shop is closed, then we will order a pizza instead."
"You say you have finished the work; then why is the desk still covered in papers?"
How to use then
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to a point in time, the next step in a sequence, or a logical consequence.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "than" (used in comparisons): "back then" vs "better than."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
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We were still in school _____.
Etymology
From Old English þonne — originally the same word as "than," which split off into a separate spelling for comparisons.
Synonyms
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next
afterwards
subsequently
thereupon
at that time
in that case
and then
followed by
as a result
ensuingly
therewhile
followingly
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for then
See all rhymes for then →Frequently asked questions
What does “then” mean?
The word “then” means at that time (in the past or future). In plain terms, refers to a point in time, the next step in a sequence, or a logical consequence.
How do you pronounce “then”?
“Then” is pronounced thehn (/ðɛn/ in IPA).
How do you use “then” in a sentence?
Here is “then” used in a sentence: “We were still in school then.”
What is another word for “then”?
Words with a similar meaning to “then” include and then, followed by, as a result, ensuingly, therewhile and followingly.
What is the opposite of “then”?
The opposite of “then” — its antonyms — are before, previously and prior to.
What part of speech is “then”?
“Then” is an adverb.
Where does the word “then” come from?
The word “then” comes from Old English. From Old English þonne — originally the same word as "than," which split off into a separate spelling for comparisons.
Is “then” a common word?
“Then” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "then" and "than"?
"Then" relates to time or sequence — it means "at that time" or "next in a sequence of events," as in "we ate, then we left." "Than" is used only for comparisons, as in "taller than me." If you are comparing two things, use "than"; if you are talking about time or order, use "then."
Do you need a comma before "then"?
"Then" is an adverb, not a conjunction, so it cannot join two complete sentences with only a comma. In formal writing, use "and then" or a semicolon: "We ate, and then we left" or "We ate; then we left." The comma-only version is common in casual writing but is technically a comma splice.
Can you start a sentence with "then"?
Yes. Starting a sentence with "then" is a natural way to show the next step in a sequence: "Then the lights went out." A comma after an opening "then" is optional and is usually omitted when it simply means "next."
Is "back then" correct English?
Yes. "Back then" is a standard phrase meaning "at that time in the past," as in "life was simpler back then." It is slightly informal, so in formal writing you might prefer "at that time."
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing then in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
The latest test flight was delayed first by the July 16 launch abort, then again on Thursday by thick clouds from Tropical Storm Bertha.
From
Fortune · Jul 25, 2026
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