The Meaning of Thus: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of thus? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word thus, including its definition, usage, word origin, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word thus mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word thus is an adverb that means in this or that manner or way, to some degree or extent, or as an example. It can also be used to mean something similar to the words hence, consequently, or therefore. The pronunciation of thus is t͟həs. This word is often used as a sentence connector or conjunctive to refer to a logical conclusion. Try using this new key word in a sentence today. This word is often used before a semicolon, and before commas in order to connect independent clauses.

According to Vocabulary, the word thus can also be used as a noun to refer to an aromatic gum resin that is obtained from various different Arabian or east African trees. In the past, this aromatic gum resin was valued for worship, and used for embalming and fumigation. It is also sometimes known as frankincense or gum olibanum. Was a commoner kind of Frankincense that people got from the Norway spruce, the long-leaved pine, or other such conifers.

Different languages also contain words that mean thus. You may notice that some of these words look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates. Cognates are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations for the word thus is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Portuguese: assim‎, dessa forma‎, desse jeito‎
  •  Occitan: atal‎, aital‎
  •  Arabic: هَكَذَا‎
  •  Esperanto: tiel‎
  •  Italian: così‎
  •  Japanese: この様に‎, こう‎ (kō), こうして‎ (kōshite)
  •  Russian: так‎, таки́м о́бразом‎
  •  Egyptian Arabic: كدة‎
  •  Romanian: așa‎, așa cum‎, în acest fel‎, astfel‎
  •  Mandarin: (formal) 如此‎ (rúcǐ), (informal) 這樣‎, 这样‎ (zhèyàng)
  •  Czech: tak‎
  •  Swedish: så‎, såhär‎, sålunda‎, på detta vis‎
  •  Bengali: এভাবে‎ (ebhabe)
  •  Dutch: zo‎, alzo‎, aldus‎, waardoor‎
  •  Scottish Gaelic: mar seo‎, mar sin‎
  •  Latin: sic‎, ita‎
  •  Finnish: näin‎
  •  Irish: amhlaidh‎
  •  Greek: έτσι‎
  •  French: ainsi‎
  •  Norwegian: sånn‎, slik‎, på denne måten‎
  •  Spanish: de esta manera‎, por lo tanto‎, así‎
  •  Somali: sidaan‎, sidaa‎
  •  Catalan: així‎
  •  Polish: tak‎
  •  Persian: ایدون‎ (idun)
  •  Sorani: ئه‌وها‎, به‌م شێوه‌یه‌‎
  •  ǃXóõ: ǃāhʻu‎
  •  German: so‎
  •  Tok Pisin: olsem‎
  •  Lithuanian: šitaip‎, štai taip‎
  •  Danish: dennelunde‎
  •  Macedonian: така‎
  •  Turkish: böylece‎
  •  Georgian: ასე‎
  •  Pashto: داسې‎ (dâse)

How can the word thus be used in a sentence?

The word thus can be used in many different ways in the English language. Below are a few examples of the word thus. 

The politician felt he had an obligation to visit all of the largest cities and state capitals. Thus, he visited Chicago, New York, and a few of the nation’s other large cities to meet the seat of its state’s government.

Susan needed to do her laundry on Sunday; thus, she bought detergent and got her quarters together on Saturday. 

The retention rates at the different homeless shelters were very low; thus, the local government worked with the leadership there to try and create differential outcomes. 

Charles provided convincing results in the highest weekly volume of sales that the company had ever seen in one active week of trading. Thus, he was promoted and considered a phenomenon.

The embryo had spent nine months in gestation. Thus, it was time to be born. 

What is the origin of the word thus?

According to Etymonline, the word thus comes from the Old English þus and Middle English/Old English þæt, which means “that” and is related to “this.” This comes from the Proto-Germanic thus, which is also the source of the Old Saxon thius and Old Frisian thus, Low German sus, West Frisian dus, Middle Dutch and Dutch dus. These all come from the Proto-Indo-European roots to. Related words can be created by adding different suffixes, like using ly to make the adverb thusly.

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word thus?

There are many different words that one can use in place of the word thus. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful English grammatical devices to know because they can help you to avoid repeating yourself as well as to expand your vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word thus is provided by Thesaurus.

  •   since
  •   so
  •   thus and so
  •   therefore
  •   whence
  •   thence
  •   inasmuch as
  •   along these lines
  •   in this fashion
  •   for this reason
  •   just like that
  •   and so
  •   to that end
  •   accordingly
  •   like this
  •   forasmuch as
  •   in such a way
  •   in that event
  •   thus and thus
  •   to such a degree
  •   ergo
  •   like so
  •   thereupon
  •   on account of
  •   therefrom
  •   thus
  •   thusly
  •   as follows
  •   for
  •   in kind
  •   in consequence
  •   consequently
  •   in this way
  •   on the grounds
  •   wherefore
  •   then
  •   hence

There are also numerous different words and phrases that mean the opposite of the word thus. These opposite words are called antonyms. Learning antonyms is another quick and easy way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word thus is also provided by Thesaurus

  •  despite
  •  supposing
  •  in spite of
  •  despite the fact
  •  albeit
  •  when
  •  granting all this
  •  even with
  •  even though
  •  though
  •  notwithstanding
  •  still
  •  in the face of
  •  granting
  •  while
  •  undeterred by
  •  even if
  •  although
  •  admitting
  •  in contempt of
  •  regardless
  •  whereas
  •  against
  •  even supposing
  •  much as
  •  in defiance of

Overall, the word thus means in a certain way or manner or as a result. This word is used in many different languages and is a common connection word or adverb. 

Sources: 

  1. thus – Dictionary Definition | Vocabulary 
  2. Thus | Definition of Thus | Merriam-Webster 
  3. THUS Synonyms: 24 Synonyms & Antonyms for THUS 
  4. DESPITE Synonyms: 9 Synonyms & Antonyms for DESPITE 
  5. thus | Origin and meaning of thus | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  6. thus: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense