therefore

UK: /ˈðɛə^rfɔː^r/ US: /ˈðɛrˌfɔr/ ,(ᵺâr′fôr′, -fōr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

there•fore /ˈðɛrˌfɔr/   adv. 

1. as a result;
   for that reason;
   consequently:
   The new computer has more memory and is therefore faster than the old one.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

there•fore  (ᵺâr′fôr′, -fōr′), adv. 

1. in consequence of that;
   as a result;
   consequently:
   I think; therefore I am.

• Middle English ther(e)fore, variant of therfor therefor 1125–75

Synonyms

hence, whence. Therefore, wherefore, accordingly, consequently, so, then all introduce a statement resulting from, or caused by, what immediately precedes. Therefore (for this or that reason) and wherefore (for which reason) imply exactness of reasoning; they are esp. used in logic, law, mathematics, etc., and in a formal style of speaking or writing. Accordingly (in conformity with the preceding) and consequently (as a result, or sequence, or effect of the preceding), although also somewhat formal, occur mainly in less technical contexts. So (because the preceding is true or this being the case) and then (since the preceding is true) are informal or conversational in tone.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

therefore / ˈðɛəˌfɔː/ sentence_connector

1. thus; hence: used to mark an inference on the speaker's part: those people have their umbrellas up: therefore, it must be raining
2. consequently; as a result