hence

adverb

ˈhen(t)s 

1

: from this place : away

Was that my father that went hence so fast?

—William Shakespeare

2

a

archaic : henceforth

b

: from this time

four years hence

3

: because of a preceding fact or premise : therefore

The company was losing money. Hence, the CEO was fired.

4

: from this source or origin

see also:

from hence

Synonyms of hence

• therefore
• so
• thus
• consequently

Examples of hence in a Sentence

Resource-rich countries don't need to levy taxes, so there is little pressure for government accountability, and hence fewer checks and balances. —Niall Ferguson, New York Times Book Review, 1 July 2007

Panforte—a cross between a cake and a candy—is a classic Italian Christmas treat. It's a very dense, rich confection loaded with nuts, dried fruit, and spices (hence its name, which means "strong bread"). —Gourmet, December 2002

Common sense told the YA librarian that if ever she hoped to be successful with her clients, she would have to offset the prevailing attitude of most of the staff. Through determination and patience, she soon established herself as confidante, friend, and advisor to large numbers of middle and high school students. Hence, it was not surprising when she was approached one day by a young man and young woman with a request. —A. J. Anderson, Library Journal, 1 May 1994

He knew he could not win the election—hence his decision to withdraw.

The company lost a great deal of money. Hence, the CEO was asked to resign.

What will life be like a century hence?

Recent Examples on the Web

Following the defeat, Flick pretty much confirmed that Casado and Roony were on the exit ramp, hence the decision to leave them back in Barcelona. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The very edge of Coleman’s property runs right along the edge of the cemetery and the edge of the township, hence the name of his four-acre farm, Edge of Liberty. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Hen of the woods are said to resemble a chicken with its feathers fluffed up, hence the nickname. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Investors have thus far had low patience for higher spending without significant revenue growth and acceleration, hence the after-hours stock tumble. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hennes, henne, from Old English heonan; akin to Old High German hinnan away, Old English hēr here

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hence

• from hence

Rhymes for hence

• cense
• dense
• fence
• lense
• mense
• sense
• tense
• thence
• whence
• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence

Kids Definition

hence

adverb

ˈhen(t)s 

1

: from this place or time

a week hence

2

: consequently, therefore

was a newcomer and hence had no close friends in the city