because

American  

[bih-kawz, -koz, -kuhz] / bɪˈkɔz, -ˈkɒz, -ˈkʌz /

conjunction

1. for the reason that; due to the fact that.

   The boy was absent because he was ill.

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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!

idioms

1. because of, by reason of; due to.

   Schools were closed because of heavy snowfall.

because British  

/ -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

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Usage

See reason.

Etymology

Origin of because

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bi cause; by ( def. ), cause ( def. )

Example Sentences

"I had garages leaning to one side, everything looked torn up and ugly because I was using people with no experience."

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Anthropic has said the delayed rollout of Mythos is necessary because the model is so capable of identifying and potentially exploiting vulnerabilities in software that it cannot yet be released to the public.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

In the end, few if any people on the list suffered harm, in part because Nixon’s IRS commissioner, Donald Alexander, refused to audit them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Athletes will be reminded if there’s a strike, they can’t play on outside teams because if the strike ends, they would be declared ineligible.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Did she get through the forest path, hear the drums more clearly because of it?

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith