because

[ bih-kawz, -koz, -kuhz ]

conjunction

1. for the reason that; due to the fact that:

   The boy was absent because he was ill.

preposition

1. Informal. (used directly before a noun, adjective, verb, interjection, etc., to convey a very concise rationale, excuse, or explanation):

   We’re a little like monkeys because evolution.

   He doesn’t practice enough: because lazy.

   I love doughnuts because yum!

because

/ -ˈkəz; bɪˈkɒz /

conjunction

1. subordinating on account of the fact that; on account of being; since

   because it's so cold we'll go home

2. because of
   preposition on account of

   I lost my job because of her

Usage Note

See reason.

Usage

See reason

Word History and Origins

Origin of because¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bi cause; by ( def ), cause ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of because¹

C14 bi cause , from bi by + cause

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. because of, by reason of; due to:

   Schools were closed because of heavy snowfall.

Example Sentences

Moreover, the Magic were riding a six-game win streak in which none of their opponents had scored more than 100 points and they were doing all this without their best player, Paolo Banchero, who is out because of an oblique injury.

From Los Angeles Times

This is what the Clippers were up against and they were without Norman Powell out because of a left hamstring strain.

From Los Angeles Times

He defended the decision because it would give him continued influence over environmental policy.

From BBC

After struggling for the next 20 years to find a full-time job because of South Africa's crushingly high unemployment rate, he said he decided to become an illegal miner.

From BBC

The user data that Google secured because of its dominance in search helped "refine Google's search algorithm and sell text ads," Professor Phillips-Sawyer said.

From BBC

How Do You Spell Because?

Spelling tips for because

The word because is hard to spell since the -cause part of the word is pronounced [ koz ] or [ kuhz ]. 

How to spell because: The word cause means “reason or motive”. To remember how to spell because, ask yourself, “What could be the cause of that?” Add be to the beginning of cause and you have because.

When To Use

What are other ways to say because?

The conjunction because means “for the reason that” or “due to the fact that.” Do you know when to use because, as, since, for, and inasmuch as? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.