Definition and meaning of English word "than"
than
/ðæn/
Meaning
ConjunctionUsed in comparisons, to introduce the basis of comparison.
How to use
The conjunction 'than' is commonly used in comparisons to introduce the basis of comparison. For example, 'I am taller than my brother' or 'This cake is sweeter than the one we had yesterday.' However, learners often make the mistake of using 'than' as a standalone word, forgetting that it requires a verb or a clause to complete the comparison. For instance, 'I am taller than' is grammatically incorrect without a verb or a clause following it.
🇬🇧 English
than
Example
He is taller than me
This is better than that
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- than ever— used to emphasize the extent of something
- than anyone else— used to emphasize the uniqueness of something
- than before— used to compare something to a previous time
- than expected— used to compare something to an expectation
- than usual— used to compare something to a usual or normal situation
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #182 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "than" mean?▼
The English word "than" means "than" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "than"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "than" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "than"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Used for comparisons" (which translates as "than").
More Connectors & Prepositions words
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