adverb
1.
for what? for what reason, cause, or purpose?: Why did you behave so badly?
conjunction
2.
for what cause or reason: I don't know why he is leaving.
3.
for which; on account of which (usually after reason to introduce a relative clause): the reason why he refused to go.
4.
the reason for which: That is why he returned.
noun
5.
a question concerning the cause or reason for which something is done, achieved, etc.: a child's unending hows and whys.
6.
the cause or reason: the whys and wherefores of a troublesome situation.
00:10
Why
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
interjection
7.
(used as an expression of surprise, hesitation, etc., or sometimes a mere expletive): Why, it's all gone!
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To why
Collins
World English Dictionary
why (waɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adv | |
| 1. | a. for what reason, purpose, or cause?: why are you here? |
| b. (used in indirect questions): tell me why you're here | |
| —pron | |
| 2. | for or because of which: there is no reason why he shouldn't come |
| —n , whys | |
| 3. | (usually plural) the reason, purpose, or cause of something (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores) |
| —interj | |
| 4. | an introductory expression of surprise, disagreement, indignation, etc: why, don't be silly! |
| [Old English hwī; related to Old Norse hvī, Gothic hveileiks what kind of, Latin quī] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
why
O.E. hwi, instrumental case (showing for what purpose or by what means) of hwæt (see what), from P.Gmc. *khwi (cf. O.S. hwi, O.N. hvi), from PIE *qwei, locative of *qwo- "who" (cf. Gk. pei "where"). As an interjection of surprise or to call attention to a statement, recorded from 1519.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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