because
[ bih-kawz, -koz, -kuhz ]
/ bɪˈkɔz, -ˈkɒz, -ˈkʌz /
conjunction
for the reason that; due to the fact that: The boy was absent because he was ill.
preposition
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!
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON THESE WORDS FROM BROWN GIRL DREAMING!
Visualize yourself passing this quiz on words from Jacqueline Woodson’s exquisite verse novel “Brown Girl Dreaming,” and then take the quiz to prove you can do it! (Because you can.)
Question 1 of 10
What does “barren” mean?
Idioms for because
because of, by reason of; due to: Schools were closed because of heavy snowfall.
synonym study for because
1. Because, as, since, for, inasmuch as agree in implying a reason for an occurrence or action. Because introduces a direct reason: I was sleeping because I was tired. As and since are so casual as to imply merely circumstances attendant on the main statement: As (or since ) I was tired, I was sleeping. The reason, proof, or justification introduced by for is like an afterthought or a parenthetical statement: I was sleeping, for I was tired. The more formal inasmuch as implies concession; the main statement is true in view of the circumstances introduced by this conjunction: Inasmuch as I was tired, it seemed best to sleep.
usage note for because
1. See reason.
Words nearby because
becalm, becalmed, became, becard, caught with one's pants down, be, because, beccafico, Beccaria, béchamel, béchamel sauce, bechance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for because
because
/ (bɪˈkɒz, -ˈkəz) /
conjunction
(subordinating) on account of the fact that; on account of being; sincebecause it's so cold we'll go home
because of (preposition) on account ofI lost my job because of her
Word Origin for because
C14 bi cause, from bi by + cause
undefined because
See reason
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