From Middle English bi cause, literally "by cause" — a fusion of "by" and "cause" modeled on the French phrase par cause. Over time the two words merged into the single conjunction we use today.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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owing to since for for that on account of forthy for sake forwhy as inasmuch as sith ∵

Antonyms

even though

Related words

for as first while since until though although

Rhymes for because

use muse ruse fuse abuse mouse cause house louse pause amuse douse

See all rhymes for because →

Frequently asked questions

What does “because” mean?

The word “because” means for the reason that; introduces an explanation or cause. In plain terms, a word used to give the reason for something.

How do you pronounce “because”?

“Because” is pronounced bih-kuhz (/bɪkəz/ in IPA).

How do you use “because” in a sentence?

Here is “because” used in a sentence: “She stayed home because she was feeling unwell.”

What is another word for “because”?

Words with a similar meaning to “because” include since, for, for that, on account of, forthy and for sake.

What is the opposite of “because”?

The opposite of “because” — its antonyms — is even though.

What part of speech is “because”?

“Because” is a conjunction.

Where does the word “because” come from?

The word “because” comes from French. From Middle English bi cause, literally "by cause" — a fusion of "by" and "cause" modeled on the French phrase par cause. Over time the two words merged into the single conjunction we use today.

Is “because” a common word?

“Because” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between because, since, and as?

All three introduce a reason, but because is the strongest and most direct, putting the emphasis firmly on the cause. Since and as are softer and often introduce a reason the listener already knows. 'Because it's raining' answers 'why?'; 'Since you're here, help me' assumes the reason is understood.

Can you start a sentence with because?

Yes. Starting a sentence with because is perfectly correct, as in 'Because it was late, we left.' The old warning against it exists only to stop incomplete sentences like 'Because I was tired.' As long as you finish the thought with a main clause, it is fine.

What can I use instead of because?

Common alternatives include since, as, for, and phrases like due to the fact that, seeing that, or on account of. The best choice depends on tone: because is direct and neutral, while since and as feel lighter and more formal or literary in many sentences.

What is an example of because in a sentence?

'We stayed indoors because it was storming.' Here because introduces the reason for staying indoors. Other examples include 'She smiled because she was happy' and 'The road was closed because of the flood,' each linking an outcome to its cause.

Example sentences

Real-world examples showing because in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.

An American Airlines passenger was accused by a fellow traveler of taking his first class seat because hers wouldn't properly recline during a flight from New York City.

From New York Post · Jul 25, 2026

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Vocabulary lists that include because:

Words with French origins 7 letter words Words that start with B Words that end with E A1 vocabulary words The 500 most common English words The 1000 most common English words The 2000 most common English words The 5000 most common English words

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