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Glite Dictionary
why

why

9 1.0
The reason something happens or is done
  • noun
  • /waɪ/
translation icon : por qué
  • At least explain to them why it is we end up doing nothing.
  • understand the whys

And that's why so many of us are sick.

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Examples

  • So that is why I love this stuff.

  • There is a reason why I use the word.

  • Who knows why this is such a moment?

  • I'm wondering why I got out of bed.

  • OK, so let's think about why this is true.

  • I've never understood why I have become a big star.

  • I want all my students to be excited about math and seek to understand the whys behind the right answers.

    Academic text (2007)

  • We want to know the whys and the hows to prevent a situation like this from happening again.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Participants said they wanted more theory, more history, and to understand the "whys" of cataloging.

    Academic text (2015)

  • I can't understand the why behind her sudden decision.

Synonyms

reason
vswhy
∞ 1.0

A cause or explanation for something that happened

is used when asking specifically about the underlying motive or cause
cause
vswhy
∞ 1.8

A thing or person that makes something happen

is about requesting an explanation or motive rather than the triggering factor
motive
vswhy
621 3.0

A reason, often hidden, that makes someone do something

is broader, asking for any explanation or cause, not only inner drives
justification
vswhy
156 4.0

A reason or explanation that shows an action is acceptable

asks for the basic cause or motive rather than a defence or excuse
rationale
vswhy
79 6.0

A set of reasons that explains a decision or action

is more general, asking for cause or motive rather than formal logic
wherefore
vswhy
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A reason or explanation for something

is the common question form used to seek that same explanation

Idioms

why not
896 2.4

Say yes to an idea or suggestion because there is no good reason not to

why me
  • Informal
10 8.3

Say this when you feel unlucky and treated unfairly

why in the world
1 8.1

Words people say to show strong surprise or shock

this is why we can't have nice things
  • Informal
9.9

Said when someone ruins something nice by being careless

why not both
  • Informal
5.4

Suggest choosing both options instead of one

How Convincing

proof
∞ 2.5
justification
156 4.0
why
9 1.0
explanation
∞ 1.0
to excuse
178 2.5

Surface Forms

why singular
whys plural

Etymology

The word why comes from an old English word hwi, which meant 'for what reason' and is in the same family as other question words like what and how. So, why still asks for the reason behind something.