thence

thence — adverb

1. away from the location or spot that was just named or described in the text or c

1.adverbB2
Definition

away from the location or spot that was just named or described in the text or conversation; at or to a different place beyond the one already mentioned.

Example

The train from London arrives at Birmingham; thence, passengers continue by bus to the festival.

thence at start of clause after semicolon

Roya sailed from the Greek island of Crete and thence to the coast of Turkey.

from X … and thence to Y pattern

Common collocations
  • thence to [destination]
  • and thence
  • from [origin] … thence to [destination]
  • thence by [mode of transport]
Synonyms
  • from there

    The neutral, everyday equivalent; suitable in any register

  • therefrom

    Extremely formal and legalistic; virtually never used in speech

Antonyms
  • hither

    Archaic; means 'to or towards this place'

Grammar Patterns

from [place] (and) thence to [place]

[movement verb] ... and thence ...

Usage Note

Formal and literary; rarely used in spoken English. Most commonly appears in sequential spatial descriptions of routes or journeys, often following the pattern 'from [first place] … (and) thence to [next place]'.

Common Mistakes

We flew to Japan and from there went to Korea.
We flew to Japan and thence to Korea.
'thence' replaces the longer phrase 'from there' in formal writing.
I went to the store, and from there I walked home.
I went to the store and then walked home.
'thence' is too formal for describing an everyday short trip in casual speech.

2. as a result of the fact, situation, or statement that has just been mentioned; f

2.adverbC1
Definition

as a result of the fact, situation, or statement that has just been mentioned; for that reason.

Example

The witness gave false testimony; thence, the case was dismissed by the judge.

causal: semicolon + thence introduces result

Stefan had never studied Chinese, and thence found the entrance exam extremely difficult.

and thence + finding/experience

Common collocations
  • ; thence, [result]
  • and thence [result/experience]
  • thence came [subject]
Synonyms
  • therefore

    Common and neutral; the standard choice for formal and semi-formal writing

  • hence

    Formal like 'thence', but more frequent in modern written English

  • consequently

    Slightly more formal than 'therefore', emphasizes the logical link

Grammar Patterns

[statement] ; thence , [result]

[statement] and thence [result]

Usage Note

Formal register, more typical of academic, legal, or literary writing than everyday speech. The causal meaning overlaps with 'hence', though 'hence' is now more frequent in this role. Avoid using for simple everyday cause—effect situations (e.g., being tired or hungry).

Common Mistakes

I was tired, thence I went to bed.
I was tired, so I went to bed.
'thence' is too formal for a simple everyday reason like being tired.
The evidence was weak; from that fact, the case was dropped.
The evidence was weak; thence, the case was dropped.
'thence' compresses 'from that fact / circumstance' into a single formal word.

Word family

  • thenceforth
    adverbC2
  • thenceforward
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three expressions indicate movement away from a previously mentioned place, but they differ sharply in register. 'From there' is the neutral, everyday choice — suitable in conversation, email, and writing of any level. 'Thence' is formal and literary, appearing mainly in written narratives, travel writing, and historical texts; a learner should understand it when reading but avoid using it in speech. 'Therefrom' is extremely formal and legalistic, confined almost entirely to law documents and formal contracts — learners are unlikely to need it outside of specialized reading. For example: 'She left the city and went from there to the countryside' (neutral, any register); 'She left the city and went thence to the countryside' (literary, formal tone); 'The goods were shipped from the warehouse and the proceeds derived therefrom' (legal, extremely formal).

thence ↗from theretherefrom

Common collocations

Phrases

  • from [place] … (and) thence to [place]
  • and thence
  • ; thence

Prepositions

  • thence to

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Comes from Middle English 'thennes', which evolved from Old English 'þanon' (meaning 'from that place'), with the adverbial genitive suffix '-es' that later shifted to '-ce'. The word is related to 'then' and 'that', all sharing an ancient root meaning 'that (place or time)'. It has been used in English since before the 12th century.