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then¹
/Den/
adverb
1 at that time; at that point in the past or future
▪ I haven’t heard a thing about them since then.
▪ I’ll be at the party. See you then.
(used at the end of a sentence)
▪ Just then, he appeared.
▪ from then on
▪ We won’t find out until then.
▪ I borrowed $2,000, which was a lot of money back then.
▪ The deadline is four o’clock. By then I will finish it.
▪ It was then believed that the Earth revolved around the sun.
2
(a) afterwards; after that
▪ have breakfast and then go sightseeing
▪ Mix the sugar and the flour, then add the egg.
(b) afterwards; in addition; used to add another thing that also needs to be considered or done
▪ We will order the invitation cards, collect the addresses and then find the best courier.
3(spoken)
in that case; therefore; as a result
(syn therefore; as a result; in that case)
▪ ‘The restaurant is not open on Monday.’ ‘Then let’s go to another one.’
4 used in sentences with if to mean ‘then’ or ‘in that case’used in sentences with if to mean ‘then’ or ‘in that case’
▪ If he does not want to go, then I won’t either.
(then in sentences using if can be omitted without changing the meaning)
▪ What if there should be a robbery? What then?
5 (somewhat formal) used to draw a conclusion that refers back to what has already been mentioned
▪ These, then, are important things you must stick to.
| but then (again); then again
used to introduce new information, especially something that changes or contrasts with what was just said
▪ He told me that the man was a manager but then it was wrong.
| OK/now/right then
used to introduce a new topic, start a new activity, or show that something has been agreed or decided
▪ OK/Now/Right then, what should we do next?
| (right) then and there; there and then
used to mean immediately, at that exact time and place
▪ He would have done it then and there if I had agreed.
| and then some
→ see some
| even then
→ see even¹
| (every) now and then
→ see now¹
then²
/Den/
adjective
at that time; existing or happening at a particular time in the past or future
▪ the then president
