why

[ wahy, hwahy ]

/ waɪ, ʰwaɪ /

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See synonyms for: why / whys on Thesaurus.com

adverb

for what? for what reason, cause, or purpose?: Why did you behave so badly?

conjunction

for what cause or reason: I don't know why he is leaving.

for which; on account of which (usually after reason to introduce a relative clause): the reason why he refused to go.

the reason for which: That is why he returned.

noun, plural whys.

a question concerning the cause or reason for which something is done, achieved, etc.: a child's unending hows and whys.

the cause or reason: the whys and wherefores of a troublesome situation.

interjection

(used as an expression of surprise, hesitation, etc., or sometimes a mere expletive): Why, it's all gone!

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of why

before 900; Middle English; Old English hwī, hwȳ, instrumental case of hwætwhat; cognate with Old Norse hvī

usage note for why

See reason.

Words nearby why

whsle., whs. stk., whump, whup, WH-word, why, Whyalla, whydah, whydunnit, why'll, why're

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use why in a sentence

I mean, even Ron Fournier of National Journal, usually devoted to the pox-on-both-houses, why-can't-Obama-lead?
Numbers That Speak for Themselves|Michael Tomasky|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
DB: Why/how does Credit Suisse feel like a good fit for you?
Industry Trailblazer to Aspiring Women Pros: Stand Up and Be Counted|Daily Beast Promotions|November 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Ferguson reverses those emphases—focusing solely on this historic meltdown, the who/what/where/why/how.
Inside Job: Hard Lessons Through Pretty Pictures|Randall Lane|October 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Till now one with sudden hiss: "But-good Christ-just look-why, the roof's leaning—!"
The Lord of the Sea|M. P. Shiel

And what is it that brings disaster on those who employ the phalanx?Why the phalanx fails.
The Histories of Polybius, Vol. II (of 2)|Polybius
It needed a beefy person with fat legs and a large amount of inexplicable dignity, a regular God-knows-why loftiness.
The O'Ruddy|Stephen Crane
Weren't they as good as gold this morning, Emily?and yesterday!why they never murmured, as good as gold they were.
The White Peacock|D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
Like other sharp children, Why-Why was always asking metaphysical conundrums.
In the Wrong Paradise|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for why

why

/ (waɪ) /

adverb

for what reason, purpose, or cause?why are you here?
(used in indirect questions)tell me why you're here

pronoun

for or because of whichthere is no reason why he shouldn't come

noun plural whys

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

interjection

an introductory expression of surprise, disagreement, indignation, etcwhy, don't be silly!

Word Origin for why

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

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