What does "then" mean?

1. (at that time) at a specific time in the past or future. 2. (next in order) after that; next in a sequence of events. 3. (as a result) used to show what happens because of something else. 4. (also or besides) used to add another piece of information to what you just said. 5. (at that time) used to describe someone who had a certain job or role at a specific time in the past. 6. (that time) that particular time in the past.

How do you use "then"?

Usually placed immediately before the noun it modifies, often with a hyphen. Almost always follows a preposition like 'since', 'by', or 'until'.

then

adv. · adj. · n.

US //ˈðɛn// UK //ðˈɛn// then

1 at that time (adv.)
A1 Beginner

at a specific time in the past or future.

at that specific point in time, whether past or future.

Example

I was living in London then, so I saw the parade in person.

Example

Life was significantly slower then, before the advent of high-speed internet changed our expectations of immediate communication.
- at that time
- meanwhile
- now
2 next in order (adv.)
A1 Beginner

after that; next in a sequence of events.

subsequently; used to indicate the next event in a chronological or spatial sequence.

Example

We went to the park and then we had some ice cream.

Example

The researchers gathered the raw data and then spent several months performing a rigorous statistical analysis.
- before
- previously

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3 as a result (adv.)
A2 Elementary

used to show what happens because of something else.

used to introduce a logical consequence or the next step in an argument.

Example

If you don't like the food, then you shouldn't eat it.

Example

If the initial hypothesis is proven false, then the entire framework of the experiment must be re-evaluated.
- therefore
- consequently
- in that case
4 also or besides (adv.)
B1 Intermediate

used to add another piece of information to what you just said.

used to introduce an additional fact or point in an argument.

Example

It's a very expensive car, and then there is the cost of insurance.

Example

The project is already behind schedule, and then there is the issue of the dwindling budget to consider.
5 at that time (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

used to describe someone who had a certain job or role at a specific time in the past.

functioning as an attributive adjective to indicate a status or role held at the time mentioned.

Example

The then-president signed the new law during a special ceremony.

Example

The decision was heavily criticised by the then-governor, who argued that the state could not afford such an ambitious infrastructure project.

Usage

Usually placed immediately before the noun it modifies, often with a hyphen.
- former
- incumbent
- current
- present
6 that time (n.)
B1 Intermediate

that particular time in the past.

a specific point in time previously mentioned, functioning as the object of a preposition.

Example

I haven't seen him since then, but I hope he is doing well.

Example

By then, the sun had already set, leaving the valley in a deep, purple shadow.

Usage

Almost always follows a preposition like 'since', 'by', or 'until'.
- that time
- now

Origin

From Middle English then(ne), than(ne), from Old English þonne, þanne, þænne (“then, at that time”), from Proto-West Germanic þan, from Proto-Germanic þan (“at that (time), then”), from earlier þam, from Proto-Indo-European tóm, accusative masculine of *só (“demonstrative pronoun, that”). Cognate with Dutch dan (“then”), German dann (“then”), Swedish då (“then”), Icelandic þá (“then”). Doublet of than.