ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thereof

adv.
US //ˌðɛˈɹəv// UK //ðeəɹˈɒv// there·of
  1. 1 of that thing (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    of the thing that was just mentioned.

    Of the thing or things previously mentioned; functions as a formal substitute for 'of it' or 'of them'.

    Example

    The contract explains the rules and the consequences of any violation thereof.

    Example

    The committee reviewed the proposal and all the technical specifications thereof before making a final recommendation to the board.

    Usage

    Typically follows the noun it modifies rather than preceding it.

    Teacher's tip

    This word is almost exclusively found in legal, academic, or very formal business writing; using it in casual conversation will sound unnatural.
    • of it
    • of that
Origin

From Middle English thereof, therof, ther-of, ther of, from Old English þǣrof; equivalent to there + of. Compare Swedish därav.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026