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. 1. for what reason, purpose, or cause?

      why are you here?

   2. ( used in indirect questions )

      tell me why you're here

pronoun

1. for or because of which

   there is no reason why he shouldn't come

noun

1. usually plural the reason, purpose, or cause of something (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores )

interjection

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

   why, don't be silly!

Usage Note

See reason.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of why¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg