cause
kawz
Cause (noun) means the thing that makes something happen; the origin of an effect. Example: “Investigators are still searching for the cause of the fire.”
noun
1
The thing that makes something happen; the origin of an effect.
"Investigators are still searching for the cause of the fire."
"Doctors are trying to find the cause of her constant headaches."
"Poor sleep is a common cause of mood swings in teenagers."
2
A goal or movement that people support or fight for.
"She has spent her life fighting for the cause of animal welfare."
"Volunteers from across the town gave their free time to the cause."
"He donated generously because he believed strongly in the cause of clean water."
verb
1
To make something happen; to bring about.
"Heavy rain caused the river to flood."
"His comment caused quite a stir at the dinner table."
"Spilling juice on the keyboard caused the whole machine to stop working."
How to use cause
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe reason something happens (noun), or to make something happen (verb); also, a purpose or movement worth supporting.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
cause and effect
root cause
for a good cause
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Word forms
- Plural
- causes
- Third person singular
- causes
- Past tense
- caused
- Archaic forms
- causest, causedst, causeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Investigators are still searching for the _____ of the fire.
Etymology
From Old French cause, from Latin causa ("reason, motive"), of unknown deeper origin — a doublet of the legal term "chose."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for cause
See all rhymes for cause →Frequently asked questions
What does “cause” mean?
The word “cause” means the thing that makes something happen; the origin of an effect. In plain terms, the reason something happens (noun), or to make something happen (verb); also, a purpose or movement worth supporting.
How do you pronounce “cause”?
“Cause” is pronounced kawz (/kɔːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “cause” in a sentence?
Here is “cause” used in a sentence: “Investigators are still searching for the cause of the fire.”
What is another word for “cause”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cause” include basis, genesis, germ, origin, principle and reason.
What is the opposite of “cause”?
The opposite of “cause” — its antonyms — are consequence, effect, result, hindrance and impediment.
What part of speech is “cause”?
Depending on how it is used, “cause” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cause” come from?
The word “cause” comes from Latin. From Old French cause, from Latin causa ("reason, motive"), of unknown deeper origin — a doublet of the legal term "chose.".
Is “cause” a common word?
“Cause” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between cause and effect?
A cause is what makes something happen; an effect is the result it produces. They are two ends of the same event - the cause comes first and brings about the effect. Heating water (cause) makes it boil (effect). Confusing the two reverses the natural order of events.
What is the difference between a cause and a reason?
A cause physically produces a result, while a reason explains or justifies something. Ice on the road is the cause of a skid; wanting to arrive early is the reason someone drove fast. Causes belong to how things happen; reasons belong to why people choose to act.
What is the difference between a cause and a correlation?
A cause directly produces an effect. A correlation is simply two things happening together, which may or may not be linked. Ice-cream sales and sunburns rise together, but one does not cause the other - hot weather causes both. 'Correlation is not causation' warns against this mistake.
Does 'cause' only mean the origin of an effect?
No. Besides meaning what makes something happen, 'cause' can mean a principle or goal that people support and work for, as in 'a charitable cause' or 'fighting for the cause.' Both senses share the idea of something that drives action or brings about change.
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