Etymograph

English

therefore

Therefore comes from Middle English therfore.

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500therfore1
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1611therefore1

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor

  1. 1 Wiktionary, English therefore
  2. Earliest quotation in Wiktionary’s entry: 1611, The Holy Bible, London: […] Robert Barker: “I have married a wife, and therefore I can…”.

Lineage

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500therforeWiktionary, English therefore
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1611thereforeWiktionary, English therefore. Earliest quotation in Wiktionary’s entry: 1611, The Holy Bible, London: […] Robert Barker: “I have married a wife, and therefore I can…”

The story

The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”).

Full etymology on Wiktionary

Every English word from Middle English therfore

Today it means

adv Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated.

Sources

Sources: Wiktionary, “therefore”. By Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0, via kaikki.org (dump of Oct 3 2026); text adapted and restructured. Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word. License.

Etymograph / Middle English therfore / therefore

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