Etymology

therefore

there·fore
T1H4E1R1E1F4O1R1E1

Today it means: Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated. Full definition →

Middle English therfore
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The story

  1. Middle English · inherited fromtherfore
  2. English todaytherefore

From Middle English therfore, therfor, tharfore, thorfore; synchronically a univerbation of there (pronominal adverb) + for, literally “for that (reason)”. The spelling has been changed due to a reanalysis as there + fore (literally “forward from that; thence”). See also therefor, ultimately the same formation. Compare Saterland Frisian deerfoar, Dutch daarvoor, German dafür, Danish and Norwegian derfor, Swedish därför.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.