Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

therefore

/ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.87 in modern English

Syllables: there-fore
IPA: /ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated.

adv

For that; for it (in reference to a previous statement).

Archaic

Example Sentences

"Traditional values will always have a place—therefore, they will never lose relevance."
"I've been explicitly forbidden to leave and therefore must stay longer."
"I left the office at 5 o'clock. I was therefore not there when the fire started a quarter of an hour later."
"I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come."
"Je pense, donc je suis (I think, therefore I am)"
"In the old days, to my commonplace and unobserving mind, he gave no evidences of genius whatsoever. He never read me any of his manuscripts, […], and therefore my lack of detection of his promise may in some degree be pardoned."

Etymology

From Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: therfore

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/
British English: /ˈðɛə.fɔː/

Usage

Archaic

Derived Forms

thusfore

Phrases

I think, therefore I am 1. Scottish2. from Middle English mid3. old dialectal form

Frequently Paired Words

— henceafter henceforth henceforward henceforwards hencefrom hereabout hereabouts

Synonyms

so thus to that end to this end hence then accordingly as a result it follows that thereby eo ipso ∴

Antonyms

nevertheless to that end to this end

Rhymes With

therefor for or your more before any more you're sure four war man-of-war

Questions

How do you pronounce therefore?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/.
What does therefore mean?: Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated.
Where does therefore come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce therefore

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “therefore”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈðɛɹ.fɔɹ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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