What does hereupon mean?
Hereupon is a formal, chiefly archaic English adverb built from here and upon. Its basic spatial meaning is “on or at this,” allowing a writer to refer to a previously mentioned place, text, or matter: “The terms are set out hereupon.” In older and elevated prose, it can also mean “immediately after this,” especially when introducing the next event in a sequence: “The herald returned, and hereupon the gates were opened.” The word is not normally used in casual contemporary speech; legal, religious, ceremonial, and literary contexts account for most of its modern appearances. Its slightly ceremonial tone can give a sentence historical or solemn character, but it may also sound dated or unnecessarily formal in ordinary conversation. For “on this,” a modern writer will usually say on this or upon this; for “and then” or “after that,” whereupon or and then is generally more natural. Hereupon remains useful as a compact, old-fashioned connective that signals formal continuity between an event and what follows.
adverbHereupon is a formal or archaic adverb meaning “on or at this” and, especially in older usage, “immediately after this.” It is chiefly encountered in legal, religious, ceremonial, and literary English.
- On or at this place, text, or previously mentioned matter.
- Immediately after this, especially when introducing the next event in a sequence.
"Hereupon the witness began to speak."
"The complete terms of the agreement are set out hereupon."
"Hereupon the herald departed, and the procession entered the hall."
Hereupon survives from Middle English and still carries the hush of an old proclamation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hereupon come from?
Hereupon is a compound of here and upon, both elements having Germanic origins. Here continues Old English hēr, while upon ultimately combines Old English up and on. The compound was established in Middle English and survives in modern English chiefly through formal, archaic, and literary usage.
How hereupon is actually used
The word is formal, literary, and distinctly archaic, appearing in legal, religious, ceremonial, and deliberately elevated prose. Its temporal sense can sound especially old-fashioned; in ordinary modern English, “upon this,” “and then,” or “after that” will usually sound more natural.
Easily confused with hereupon
Hereupon means “on or at this,” whereas thereupon means “on or at that” or “immediately after that.”
Hereupon is an adverb, while whereupon is a conjunction meaning “after which” or “and then.”