hence
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
for this reason or as a result of what was just mentioned.
used to introduce a logical consequence or a result of the preceding statement.
Simple“The cost of transport has risen, hence the increase in food prices.”
In context“The company failed to diversify its product line in a changing market; hence, it was unable to compete with more agile startups.”
PitfallThe weather was bad, hence we stayed home. The weather was bad; hence, we stayed home.In formal writing, 'hence' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction like 'so'. It usually requires a semicolon or a new sentence.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a certain amount of time in the future.
indicating a specified amount of time from the present moment.
Simple“The new hospital is expected to open three years hence.”
In context“The full impact of these environmental policy changes will only become apparent many decades hence.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
away from this place.
indicating movement away from the current location.
Simple“Get thee hence, and do not return to these lands.”
In context“The knight was ordered to depart hence and seek his fortune in the northern kingdoms.”
UsageIn modern English, this sense is almost exclusively found in historical fiction or religious texts.
“I don’t do smiley faces.” Communicating over Zoom is a no-go, hence our phone conversation today.”
A later Middle English spelling, retaining the voiceless -s, of hennes (henne + adverbial genitive ending -s), from Old English heonan (“away", "hence”), from a Proto-West Germanic hin-, from Proto-Germanic hiz, and Proto-Germanic *-anē. Cognate with Old Saxon hinan, Old High German hinnan (German hinnen), Dutch heen, Swedish hän. Related to Old English her (“here”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.