why

[ hwahy, wahy ]

/ ʰwaɪ, waɪ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR why 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!

Origin of why

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

usage note for why

See reason.

Words nearby why

whse., whsle, whsle., whump, whup, why, why'll, why're, why's, whyalla, whydah

Definition for why (2 of 2)

why's

[ hwahyz, wahyz ]

/ ʰwaɪz, waɪz /

contraction of why is: Why's dinner so late?

usage note for why's

See contraction.

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 which there 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, etc why, don't be silly!

Word Origin for why

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

why

adverb

conjunction

noun, plural whys.

interjection

Origin of why

usage note for why

Words nearby why

Definition for why (2 of 2)

usage note for why's

British Dictionary definitions for why

adverb

pronoun

noun plural whys

interjection

Word Origin for why

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

why

adverb

conjunction

noun, plural whys.

interjection

Origin of why

usage note for why

Words nearby why

Definition for why (2 of 2)

usage note for why's

Words related to why

British Dictionary definitions for why

adverb

pronoun

noun plural whys

interjection

Word Origin for why