What does "there" mean?
That place (previously mentioned or otherwise implied).
There
/ðə(ɹ)/ adv, contraction, det, intj, noun, pron, slang
adv, contraction, det, intj, noun, pron, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That place (previously mentioned or otherwise implied).
- Grammar: there is listed as adv, contraction, det, intj, noun, pron, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: away there, over there, yonder, all over.
- Useful contrasts: abrasiveness, disregard, harshness.
- Usage evidence: There's a problem there that you don't see.
How to use "there"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "there" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "there" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "there" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "there" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "there" is acting as adv, contraction, det, intj, noun, pron, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "away there" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "there", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That place (previously mentioned or otherwise implied).
"We need someone to take us from here to there."
- 2 a location other than here; that place; location, medial pronoun; demonstrative pronoun, location; quantifier: demonstrative determiner, distal; demonstrative pronoun, location; quantifier: demonstrative determiner, singular, distal wordnet
- 3 That situation; that position.
"You rinse and de-string the green beans; I'll take it from there."
Adverb
- 1 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here). not-comparable
"I know Bristol quite well as I used to live there."
- 2 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; At that point, stage, etc., visualised as a distinct place. figuratively, not-comparable
"He did not stop there, but continued his speech."
- 3 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; In a notional place where one will provide support or care; see also be there. not-comparable
"You know that I will always be there for you."
- 4 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; In existence in some place. not-comparable
"I know that aliens are there, somewhere."
- 5 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; In its correct position, so as to be fully and properly fitted or inserted. informal, not-comparable
"If I just push this in here like this, it should .... Ah! Good! It's there!"
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; After the name of a person perceived as located 'away' from the speaker, used familiarly to indicate that person. informal, not-comparable
"Jim there has been with the company for twenty years."
- 7 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; After certain determiners, especially 'them', 'that' and 'those', used to emphasise demonstrative sense; see also them there. dialectal, not-comparable
"Your dog's been a-chasin' those there chickens."
- 8 In or at a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) that is perceived to be away from, or at a relative distance from, the speaker (compare here).; In a notional place or situation of mental soundness and competence; see also all there. informal, not-comparable
"I spoke to her, but she didn't make much sense. I don't think she's totally there."
- 9 To or into a place or location; thither. not-comparable
"I've never been to Disneyland. Can we go there?"
- 10 To or into a place or location; thither.; Into an undesirable topic or subject matter; see also go there. not-comparable
"He started to talk about ... you know ... and I told him please don't go there."
- 11 In that matter, relation, etc.. figuratively, not-comparable
"You say that the president is a crook, and I certainly agree with you there."
- 12 Where, there where, in which place. not-comparable, obsolete
- 13 In this world: used to say that someone or something exists; see also pronoun section below. not-comparable
"These firms do not want the truth to get out and are financing these flights in the hope of dazzling the public. Yet the record of the gas engine is there for all to see."
Adverb
- 1 in or at that place or location wordnet
- 2 to or toward that place; away from the speaker wordnet
- 3 in that matter; in that respect; on that point wordnet
Intj
- 1 Used to offer encouragement or sympathy; see also there, there and there now.
"There, there. Everything is going to turn out all right."
- 2 Used to express victory or completion.
"There! That knot should hold."
Pronoun
- 1 Used as an expletive subject of be in its sense of “exist”, with the semantic, usually indefinite subject being postponed or (occasionally) implied.
"There are two apples on the table. [=Two apples are on the table.]"
- 2 Used with other intransitive verbs of existence, in the same sense, or with other intransitive verbs, adding a sense of existence.
"If x is a positive number, then there exists [=there is] a positive number y less than x."
- 3 Used with other verbs, when raised.
"There seems to be some difficulty with the papers. [=It seems that there is some difficulty with the papers.]"
- 4 That. idiomatic, in-compounds
"therefor, thereat, thereunder"
- 5 Appended to words of greeting etc. colloquial
"Hi there, young fellow."
Contraction
- 1 Misspelling of they’re. alt-of, contraction, misspelling
Determiner
- 1 Misspelling of their. alt-of, misspelling
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"There's a problem there that you don't see."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "there"?
Common synonyms include: away there, over there, yonder, all over, all round, behold.
How do you use "there" in a sentence?
There's a problem there that you don't see.
How do you pronounce "there"?
Pronounced /ðə(ɹ)/.
Etymology
From Middle English there, ther, thare, thar, thore, from Old English þēr, þǣr, þār (“there; at that place”), from Proto-West Germanic *þār, from Proto-Germanic *þar (“at that place; there”), from Proto-Indo-European *tó-r (“there”), from demonstrative pronominal base *to- (“the, that”) + adverbial suffix *-r. Cognate with Scots thar, thair (“there”), North Frisian dear, deer, där (“there”), Saterland Frisian deer (“there”), West Frisian dêr (“there”), Dutch daar (“there”), Low German dar (“there”), German da, dar- (“there”), Danish der (“there”), Norwegian der (“there”), Swedish där (“there”), Icelandic þar (“in that place, there”).