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View synonyms for why

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. for what reason, purpose, or cause?

      why are you here?

    2. ( used in indirect questions )

      tell me why you're here

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


pronoun

  1. for or because of which

    there is no reason why he shouldn't come

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. usually plural the reason, purpose, or cause of something (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

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

    why, don't be silly!

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

See reason.
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of why1

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

I mean, even Ron Fournier of National Journal, usually devoted to the pox-on-both-houses, why-can't-Obama-lead?

DB: Why/how does Credit Suisse feel like a good fit for you?

Ferguson reverses those emphases—focusing solely on this historic meltdown, the who/what/where/why/how.

Till now one with sudden hiss: "But-good Christ-just look-why, the roof's leaning—!"

And what is it that brings disaster on those who employ the phalanx?Why the phalanx fails.

It needed a beefy person with fat legs and a large amount of inexplicable dignity, a regular God-knows-why loftiness.

Weren't they as good as gold this morning, Emily?and yesterday!why they never murmured, as good as gold they were.

Like other sharp children, Why-Why was always asking metaphysical conundrums.

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