adverb
hence
HEHNS
adverb
1
For this reason; therefore.
"The bridge is closed for repairs, hence the long detour."
"Sales dropped sharply, hence the sudden layoffs."
2
From this time onward, or from this place; used in slightly old-fashioned or formal phrasing.
"Ten years hence, the town looked nothing like it used to."
How to Use Hence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal way of saying "therefore" or "as a result", or, less commonly, "from now"/"from here".
When to use it
Fairly formal — in everyday speech people usually just say "so" or "that's why" instead.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
henced past tense, hences singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “hence”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bridge is closed for repairs, _____ the long detour.
Etymology
From Middle English hennes, ultimately from Old English heonan meaning "from here" — related to the word "here".