Word
hence
US/ˈhɛns/
UK/hˈɛns/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01as a result
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic · Formal
adv. for this reason or as a result of what was just mentioned.
adv. used to introduce a logical consequence or a result of the preceding statement.
“The cost of transport has risen, hence the increase in food prices.”
“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.
Synonyms
02time from now
C1 · Advanced Formal
adv. a certain amount of time in the future.
adv. indicating a specified amount of time from the present moment.
“The new hospital is expected to open three years hence.”
“The full impact of these environmental policy changes will only become apparent many decades hence.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03from this place
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adv. away from this place.
adv. indicating movement away from the current location.
“Get thee hence, and do not return to these lands.”
“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.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hence” in context.
Verb
01. hence the confusion
“The two brothers look identical, hence the confusion among their teachers.”
adv + verb
02. hence the decision
“Profits have been falling for three years, hence the decision to close the branch.”
adv + verb
03. hence the name
“The village is located near a large oak forest, hence the name Oakwood.”
adv + verb
04. hence the need
“The equipment is extremely fragile, hence the need for careful handling.”
adv + verb
Noun
05. a week hence
“The final decision will be announced exactly a week hence.”
measure + of + noun
06. ten years hence
“It is difficult to predict what the global economy will look like ten years hence.”
measure + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“I don’t do smiley faces.”
Communicating over Zoom is a no-go, hence our phone conversation today.” “These groups of three quadrupole magnets (hence the name) sit on both sides of the LHC's four main experiments.” Etymology
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.
Word family
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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