therefore

adverb

there·​fore ˈt͟her-ˌfȯr 

: for that reason : because of that : consequently

Payment was received two weeks after it was due; therefore, you will be charged a late fee.

The cell phone is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

Synonyms of therefore

• so
• thus
• consequently
• hence

Examples of therefore in a Sentence

To understand what has happened to the earth's atmosphere—and, therefore, how our climate might change in the future—some ice-core scientists in the Arctic are training their eyes directly downward. —Bryan Walsh, Time, 18 Aug. 2008

Most Irish jump racing—and therefore most of the racing discussed in the book—is the laid-back pastime of enthusiasts … —Max Watman, New York Times Book Review, 9 Apr. 2006

A good approach to finding out what makes us humans so darn special would therefore be to get complete maps of the human and chimp genomes, and compare the two. —John Derbyshire, National Review, 7 Nov. 2005

Characteristically, however, Darwinists, like primitive economists, assume that what is humane—I use the word here, unexceptionably, as I believe, to mean whatever arises from the desire to mitigate competition and to put aside self-interest—is unnatural, and therefore wrong. —Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005

I was once sitting behind a newspaper in the Swansea common room while two engineers, i.e. lecturers in engineering, therefore by common consent philistines, chatted together. —Kingsley Amis, Memoirs, 1991

The cell phone is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

Payment was received two weeks after it was due; therefore, you will be charged a late fee.

Recent Examples on the Web

These new ones don’t need fluorescent lights to illuminate them at night, therefore no catwalks for workers to change out burned out bulbs. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

The partners will therefore examine requirements spanning material recovery, fuel development, qualification and fabrication before potential commercial deployment. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Declining confidence is therefore not only a governance challenge but also an economic one. — Ekramy El Zaghat, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

The cobra seems angry and writhes and attacks, and the handler holds the snake at bay, looking like a man who has made poor lifestyle choices and therefore deserves whatever is coming courtesy of his snake pal. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for therefore

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Kids Definition

therefore

adverb

there·​fore ˈt͟ha(ə)r-ˌfō(ə)r 

ˈt͟he(ə)r-, 

-ˌfȯ(ə)r

: for that reason : consequently

he lost the bet, therefore he must pay