therefore — English Dictionary

Adverb

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

   Usage

   • conjunctive
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   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.

   More examples (6)

   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.

   Creating a complete map of the human connectome would therefore be a monumental milestone but not the end of the journey to understanding how our brains work.

   He blushes; therefore he is innocent.

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

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • conjunctive
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Adverb

1. (used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

   Synonyms

   hencethencethusso

   Examples

   therefore X must be true

   the eggs were fresh and hence satisfactory

   More examples (3)

   we were young and thence optimistic

   it is late and thus we must go

   the witness is biased and so cannot be trusted

2. as a consequence

   Synonyms

   consequently

   Examples

   he had good reason to be grateful for the opportunities which they had made available to him and which consequently led to the good position he now held