why

[ wahy, hwahy ]

adverb

1. for what? for what reason, cause, or purpose?:

   Why did you behave so badly?

conjunction

1. for what cause or reason:

   I don't know why he is leaving.

2. for which; on account of which (usually after reason to introduce a relative clause):

   the reason why he refused to go.

3. the reason for which:

   That is why he returned.

noun

, plural whys.

1. a question concerning the cause or reason for which something is done, achieved, etc.:

   a child's unending hows and whys.

2. the cause or reason:

   the whys and wherefores of a troublesome situation.

interjection

1. (used as an expression of surprise, hesitation, etc., or sometimes a mere expletive):

   Why, it's all gone!

why

/ waɪ /

adverb

1. 1. for what reason, purpose, or cause?

      why are you here?

   2. ( used in indirect questions )

      tell me why you're here

pronoun

1. for or because of which

   there is no reason why he shouldn't come

noun

1. usually plural the reason, purpose, or cause of something (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores )

interjection

1. an introductory expression of surprise, disagreement, indignation, etc

   why, don't be silly!

Usage Note

See reason.

Word History and Origins

Origin of why¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwī, hwȳ, instrumental case of hwæt what; cognate with Old Norse hvī

Word History and Origins

Origin of why¹

Old English hwī; related to Old Norse hvī, Gothic hveileiks what kind of, Latin quī

Example Sentences

There was loads of pressure on him, lots of fans started to turn on him and he showed why we think so highly of him.

From BBC

Wrapping his wife in a blanket as she mourned the loss of her pregnancy at 11 weeks, Hope Ngumezi wondered why no obstetrician was coming to see her.

From Salon

Hope wondered why they were leaving the emergency room if the nurse seemed so worried.

From Salon

Medical experts who reviewed Porsha’s case couldn’t understand why Davis noted that a nurse and other providers reported “decreasing bleeding” in the emergency department when the record indicated otherwise.

From Salon

"But the reality is they don't. They're not looking for gay dinosaurs and trans ducks to teach their children morality. They want wholesome values and morals to be taught to their kids by people that they trust. And that's why I'm so excited about our show. Because it gets to the heart of the kinds of values parents are trying to teach their kids at home and this show is going to reinforce those values while keeping the ‘wow’ factor of the entertainment."

From Salon