Etymologically
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therefore

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 18:23. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈðeə.fɔː/, US /ˈðer.fɔːr/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English therfore,[2][3] from Old English þǣr + fore, from þærfore,[2] from the sources of there and fore, a collateral Old English and Middle English form of for.[2][4] Dutch daarvoor, German dafür and Danish derfor are similar formations.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

“For that, by reason of that, on that account”: about 1175 in the OED,[5] and Old English in the SOED.[4]

Semantic evolution

The sense “in consequence of that, as a result or inference from what has been said” is from before 1400.[5] Middle English also had a variant thereforn, “for that reason” (mid-13th century).[2] Since about 1800 therefor has tended to be used for “for that, in return for that” and therefore for “in consequence”;[2][4] the two are now distinguished in stress, therefore on the first syllable.[5] As a noun, the word therefore marking a conclusion, it is from 1641.[5][3]

Timeline

  • c. 1175 – by reason of that.[5]
  • mid-13th century – thereforn.[2]
  • before 1400 – in consequence; hence.[5]
  • 1641 – noun, a conclusion.[5][3]
  • c. 1800 – distinguished from therefor.[2]

Modern meaning

Adverb

  1. For that reason; as a result; consequently or hence.
  • there
  • fore
  • for
  • wherefore
  • therefor

Usage notes

Therefor, “for that, for it”, as in paid therefor, is a separate legal and formal word.[2][4]

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press