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hence

adv.
US //ˈhɛns// UK //hˈɛns// hence
  1. 1 as a result (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Formal

    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.

    Example

    The cost of transport has risen, hence the increase in food prices.

    Example

    The company failed to diversify its product line in a changing market; hence, it was unable to compete with more agile startups.
    Pitfall
    The 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.

  2. 2 time from now (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a certain amount of time in the future.

    indicating a specified amount of time from the present moment.

    Example

    The new hospital is expected to open three years hence.

    Example

    The full impact of these environmental policy changes will only become apparent many decades hence.
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  1. 3 from this place (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    away from this place.

    indicating movement away from the current location.

    Example

    Get thee hence, and do not return to these lands.

    Example

    The knight was ordered to depart hence and seek his fortune in the northern kingdoms.

    Usage

    In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively found in historical fiction or religious texts.
Origin

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”).

Word family

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