why
Why (adv) means for what reason or purpose; used to ask a question. Example: “Why did you leave so early?”
How to Use Why
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe word used to ask or explain the reason for something.
Word Forms
whied past tense, whyed past tense, whys plural, why's plural, whies plural, whies plural, whys singular, whies singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ did you leave so early?
Etymology
From Old English hwȳ, ultimately from the same ancient root as who and what.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “why” mean?
The word “why” means for what reason or purpose; used to ask a question. In plain terms, the word used to ask or explain the reason for something.
How do you pronounce “why”?
“Why” is pronounced WEYE (/ˈwaɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “why” in a sentence?
Here is “why” used in a sentence: “Why did you leave so early?”
What is another word for “why”?
Words with a similar meaning to “why” include how come, to what end, what for, why so, for why and wherefore.
What part of speech is “why”?
Depending on how it is used, “why” can be an adverb, a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “why” come from?
The word “why” comes from Old English. From Old English hwȳ, ultimately from the same ancient root as who and what.
Is “why” a common word?
“Why” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “why” have?
“Why” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: for what reason or purpose; used to ask a question.
What is the difference between "why" and "how come"?
Both ask for a reason, but "how come" is informal and keeps normal word order: "How come you're late?" versus "Why are you late?" Use "why" in formal writing and reserve "how come" for casual speech.
Is "the reason why" redundant?
Strict style guides call it redundant, since "why" already means "the reason behind something," and suggest "the reason" or "the reason that" instead. However, "the reason why" is a long-established construction used by careful writers, so it is safe in all but the most formal editing contexts.
Can "why" be used as a noun?
Yes. As a noun, "why" means the reason behind something: "we understand the what, but not the why." It also appears in the set phrase "the whys and wherefores," meaning all the reasons.
What is the difference between "why" and "wherefore"?
"Wherefore" is an archaic word for "why" — it asks for a reason or purpose, not a location. That is why Juliet's famous line "wherefore art thou Romeo" means "why are you Romeo," not "where are you."