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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Than

/ðæn/ · conjunction

Meaning

Used in comparisons, to introduce the basis of comparison..

Definitions by Sense

  1. Used in comparisons, to introduce the basis of comparison.
  2. (obsolete outside dialects, usually used with for) Because; for.
  3. Introduces a comparison, and is associated with comparatives, and with words such as more, less, and fewer. Typically, it seeks to measure the force of an adjective or similar description between two predicates.
  4. (now chiefly dialectal or a misspelling) At that time; then.

Example Sentences

The artist worried more than was necessary: there were a lot of people at the exhibition, more than came last year.
she's taller than I am; she found his advice more witty than helpful; we have less work today than we had yesterday; We had no (other) choice than to return home; I love you more than (what) she does, but less than he, or than I do your sisters.
Profits were higher than forecast.
City dwellers have a higher cancer rate than do countrymen. Apparently, they drink more than is good for 'em.
Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. The machine gun is so much more lethal than the bow and arrow that comparisons are meaningless.
Answer me if you can, any other way, than because the Scriptures, which are infallible, Say so.
If thou say yes, then puttest thou on Christ (that is, the wisdome of God, the Father) unkunning, unpower, or euil will: for than he could not make his rule so good as an other did his.
You shall also take the fine earth or mould which is found in the hollow of old Willow trees, rising from the root almost to the middle of the Tree, at least so far as the tree is hollow, for than this, there is no earth or mould finer or richer.

Synonyms for than

Antonyms for than

Related Words

whereasthenbesidesratherbecausethoughoncebeyondjustrelativecomparisonprudencesureoutsideenablethinkleastwithoutallowexcept

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does than mean?

Than means Used in comparisons, to introduce the basis of comparison..

What is a synonym for than?

The closest synonym depends on the sentence and intended sense.

What is the opposite of than?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use than in a sentence?

The artist worried more than was necessary: there were a lot of people at the exhibition, more than came last year.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.