than

than
1 strong conjunction
1 higher than/cheaper than etc used when comparing two things that are different to introduce the second thing: The cost of the repairs was a lot cheaper than I thought.
2 would rather/would sooner...than... used to say that you prefer one thing to another: If it's alright by you I'd rather walk than go by car.
3 hardly/scarcely/no sooner etc...than... used to say that something had only just happened when something else happened: No sooner had I mailed the letter than I realized she'd changed address.
4 informal except: They left me with no option other than to resign.
2 preposition
1 higher/more expensive than used when comparing two things that are different to introduce the second thing: Miranda has always been more intelligent than her two brothers. | Richard's marrying a woman who's older than his own mother. | The new tax system will definitely affect some people more than others.
2 more/less/fewer etc than used when comparing two different amounts, numbers etc to introduce the second amount or number: The programme doesn't last any longer than an hour. | He's been unemployed for more than 18 months now. | It's a beautiful dress but it's much more than I can afford.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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  • than — [ strong ðæn, weak ðən ] function word *** Than can be used in the following ways: as a conjunction (connecting two clauses or phrases): We shouldn t spend more than we earn. as a preposition (followed by a noun): I m taller than my dad.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • than — W1S1 [ðən strong ðæn] conj, prep [: Old English; Origin: thanne, thAnne] 1.) used when comparing two things, people, situations etc ▪ Natalie was prettier than her sister. ▪ You need that money more than I do. ▪ There were more people there than… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Than — is a grammatical particle serving as both conjunction and preposition in the English language. It introduces a comparison, and as such is associated with comparatives, and with words such as more, less, and fewer. Typically, it seeks to measure… …   Wikipedia

  • than — [than] conj. [ME than, thene, thonne < OE thenne, thanne, thonne, orig., then: for IE base see THAT] 1. introducing the second element in a comparison, following an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree: if the first element is a… …   English World dictionary

  • Than — ([th][a^]n), conj. [OE. than, thon, then, thanne, thonne, thenne, than, then, AS. [eth]anne, [eth]onne, [eth][ae]nne; akin to D. dan, OHG. danne, G. dann then, denn than, for, Goth. [thorn]an then, and to E. the, there, that. See {That}, and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • than — 1. Than is normally used to introduce the second element in a comparison, and acts either as a conjunction (He is older than I am) or as a preposition (He is older than me). In uses such as He is older than I, than is normally regarded as a… …   Modern English usage

  • than — ► CONJUNCTION & PREPOSITION 1) introducing the second element in a comparison. 2) used to introduce an exception or contrast. 3) used in expressions indicating one thing happening immediately after another. USAGE Traditionally, it has been… …   English terms dictionary

  • Than — ist der Familienname von: Abraham Than (* 1927), Altbischof von Kengtung Karl Than (1834–1908), ungarischer Chemiker Mór Than (1828–1899), ungarischer Maler Walter Than (* 1921), deutscher Tischtennisspieler Siehe auch Thane Tann Thanh Thann …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • than — O.E. þan, conjunctive particle used after a comparative adjective or adverb, from þanne, þænne, þonne then (see THEN (Cf. then)). Developed from the adverb then, and not distinguished from it in spelling until c.1700. The earliest use is in West… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Than — Than, adv. Then. See {Then}. [Obs.] Gower. [1913 Webster] Thanne longen folk to gon on pilgrimages. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Than — (angelsächs. thegn, thên, althochd. degan, schott. than, thayne), ursprünglich der kriegerische Gefolgsmann des angelsächsischen Königs, seit dem 10. Jahrh. erblicher Großgrundbesitzer. Der T. entspricht in der Entwickelungsgeschichte des… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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