Phrase guide

but then

conj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

conj

Meaning 1

Then again, on the other hand; used to show that the opposite viewpoint is possible.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He may finish writing his novel next year; but then, he may never finish.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

(contrastive) from another point of view

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • on the other hand, she is too ambitious for her own good
  • then again, she might not go

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: on the other hand, then again

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: de hát — then again, on the other hand
  • Polish: z drugiej strony — then again, on the other hand
  • Vietnamese: thế nhưng — then again, on the other hand