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. (preposition) on account of

   I lost my job because of her

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

Because of his access to trainers, jockeys and owners, plus an ability to see things others didn’t, Siegel was a valued public handicapper and soon his picks were featured in many Southern California newspapers, including The Times, the Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, Orange County Register and San Diego Union-Tribune.

From Los Angeles Times

Jeffries accused Republicans of "lying" about Democrats' intentions in the negotiations "because they're losing the court of public opinion".

From BBC

Nothing happened otherwise, I'm sure I would have ended up ahead of Oscar anyway because he had the dirty part of the track on the outside.

From BBC

"We need to be accurate, because there's a lot at stake. That's not only the championship points, but it's also the trust of our drivers in the way we operate as a team, and this is, if anything, even more foundational than the points themselves."

From BBC

That is partly because of the characteristics of the three most recent circuits not suiting its capabilities, and partly because McLaren turned off the taps of development some time ago, and Mercedes and Red Bull still have new parts coming to their cars - both had new front wings here.

From BBC

When To Use

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.