adv
wherefore
WEH-uh-faw
Wherefore (adv) means For what reason; why (archaic). Example: “Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
adv
1
For what reason; why (archaic).
""Good morning, Mrs. Denny," he said. "Wherefore this worried look on your face? Has that reprobate James been misbehaving himself?""
— Herman Cyril McNeile (1920)
"Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
noun
1
A reason or purpose, especially in the phrase "the whys and wherefores."
"She never explained the whys and wherefores of her decision."
How to use wherefore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for "why," most familiar from the phrase "whys and wherefores."
Common mistake
The famous Shakespeare line "wherefore art thou Romeo?" means "why are you Romeo" (i.e. why do you have to be a Montague), not "where are you."
When to use it
Archaic — used today mostly for effect or in the fixed phrase "whys and wherefores."
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Word forms
- Plural
- wherefores
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ art thou Romeo?
Etymology
From Middle English wherfore, built from "where-" (meaning "what") plus "for."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wherefore
See all rhymes for wherefore →Frequently asked questions
What does “wherefore” mean?
The word “wherefore” means for what reason; why (archaic). In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for "why," most familiar from the phrase "whys and wherefores.".
How do you pronounce “wherefore”?
“Wherefore” is pronounced WEH-uh-faw (/ˈweɹˌfɔɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wherefore” in a sentence?
Here is “wherefore” used in a sentence: “Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
What part of speech is “wherefore”?
Depending on how it is used, “wherefore” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “wherefore” come from?
The word “wherefore” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wherfore, built from "where-" (meaning "what") plus "for.".
How many meanings does “wherefore” have?
“Wherefore” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: for what reason; why (archaic).
