Therefore
/ˈðɛr.fɔːr/noun
For that reason; consequently.
Did you know?“Therefore” comes from Old English þǣrfore, built from þǣr (“there”) + fore (“before/in front of”), so its original force was spatial before it became logical.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*þar
“there, in that place”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*furai
“before, in front of”
Old English
OE
þǣrfore
“for that reason; on that account”
Middle English
ME
therfor
“therefore, for that reason”
Modern English
English
therefore
“for that reason; consequently”
Explore more surprising origins