thus

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparableformal

   As a result of what was just stated; for that reason.

   Grammar: Often placed at the start of a clause or before a verb: thus we conclude.

   Patterns

   • thus doing something

   The road was closed, and thus we took a longer route.

   Sales rose sharply, thus allowing the firm to expand.

   The two numbers are equal; thus the answer is zero.

2. 2adverbnot comparableformalliterary

   In this way, or like this.

   Grammar: Usually before a verb or at the start of a sentence: thus began the war.

   The story ends thus: the hero returns home.

   Thus the festival began, with a single drum.

Common combinations

and thus

It rained all week, and thus the match was canceled.

thus far

The project has gone well thus far.

thus allowing

The tool saves time, thus allowing more testing.

thus we see

Thus we see how small changes add up.

Synonyms and how they differ

therefore

Therefore is just as formal but is more common for a plain logical result.

hence

Hence is even more formal and points to a reason that came earlier.

so

So is the everyday choice and works in speech where thus sounds stiff.

Commonly confused: thus or this?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “thus”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words