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

Anne, only a woman, and a married one, is basically skipped over; and Benjamin, who has problems with drink and gambling, is given a small allowance, because, as expressed in his late father’s will, “I feel it wise not to burden Benjamin with the temptations that come with fortune.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I look at the face of that girl, and I say girl because I had just turned 20, and I am really proud of her for standing up and saying 'I'm starting this and I'm going to finish it and prove to the world that women deserve a space'."

From BBC

In a remote Northumberland forest, £5m worth of timber remains unfelled because of trouble transporting it out.

From BBC

As for the children who abused her, she added she had shared the video "because we can't normalise racism".

From BBC

"It's quite a wacky way to do it with beer and athletes, it's not something that normally goes together, but I think because of that it makes it stand out a little bit. And you've got to rock the boat a little bit sometimes to get eyes on you."

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.