then

[th en] /ðɛn/

adverb

at that time:

Prices were lower then.

immediately or soon afterward:

The rain stopped and then started again.

next in order of time:

We ate, then we started home.

at the same time:

At first the water seemed blue, then gray.

next in order of place:

Standing beside Charlie is my uncle, then my cousin, then my brother.

in addition; besides; also:

I love my job, and then it pays so well.

in that case; as a consequence; in those circumstances:

If you're sick, then you should stay in bed.

since that is so; as it appears; therefore:

You have, then, found the mistake? You are leaving tonight then.

adjective

being; being such; existing or being at the time indicated:

the then prime minister.

noun

10.

that time:

We have not been back since then. Till then, farewell.

Idioms

11.

but then, but on the other hand:

I found their conversation very dull, but then I have different tastes.

12.

then and there, at that precise time and place; at once; on the spot:

I started to pack my things right then and there.

Also, there and then.

Origin

before 900; Middle English then(ne), than(n)e, Old English thonne, thanne, thænne; cf. than; akin to that

Can be confused

than, then (see usage note at than)

Synonyms

8. See therefore.

Examples from the web for then

Set a cookie or biscuit cutter in a medium bowl, then set mold on top.
Repeat on remaining two sides, then staple all around the edges, pulling cloth tight.
There are fixer-uppers, and then there are complete wrecks.
Our staff photographer loads these pocket-size drives with pics from the year, then sends them to friends and family.
To keep predators out, the wire sides extend two feet below ground level, then out another two feet.
Dampen the mix before using it by pouring it into a clean bucket, then stirring in enough water to make it moist but not soggy.
Water regularly after planting, then cut back on watering as tree becomes established.
then they can start wagering in real time on which currencies are headed up or down.
She was a poet turned rocker, tapping and then redoubling the energy she found in basic three-chord songs.
We scrutinized the beach and watched oysters open, filtering the water, and then snapping shut on our approach.

British Dictionary definitions for then

then

/ðɛn/

adverb

at that time; over that period of time

(sentence modifier) in that case; that being so: then why don't you ask her?, if he comes, then you'll have to leave, go on then, take it

then and there, See there (sense 6)

sentence connector

after that; with that: then John left the room and didn't return

noun

that time: before then, from then on

adjective

(prenominal) existing, functioning, etc, at that time: the then prime minister

Word Origin

Old English thenne; related to Old Saxon, Old High German thanna; see than

Word Origin and History for then

adverb of time, from Old English þanne, þænne, þonne, from Proto-Germanic *thana- (cf. Old Frisian thenne, Old Saxon thanna, Dutch dan, Old High German danne, German dann), from PIE demonstrative pronoun root *to- (see the). For further sense development, see than. Similar evolutions in other Germanic languages; Dutch uses dan in both senses, but German has dann (adv.) "then," denn (conj.) "than." Now and then "at various times" is attested from 1550s; earlier then and then (c.1200).

Idioms and Phrases with then

then

also see: