Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Nearby Entries
why - 6 dictionary results

why

[hwahy, wahy] adverb, conjunction, noun, plural whys, interjection
–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.
–interjection
7. (used as an expression of surprise, hesitation, etc., or sometimes a mere expletive): Why, it's all gone!

Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE hwī, hwȳ, instr. case of hwæt what; c. ON hvī


See reason.

why's

[hwahyz, wahyz]
contraction of why is: Why's dinner so late?

See contraction.
why   (hwī, wī)   
adv.  For what purpose, reason, or cause; with what intention, justification, or motive: Why is the door shut? Why do birds sing?
conj.  
  1. The reason, cause, or purpose for which: I know why you left.
  2. Usage Problem On account of which; for which: "The reason why [regular verbs] are called regular is that we can predict what all the other three forms are" (Randolph Quirk).
n.   pl. whys
  1. The cause or intention underlying a given action or situation: studying the whys of antisocial behavior.
  2. A difficult problem or question.
interj.  Used to express mild surprise, indignation, or impatience.

[Middle English, from Old English hwȳ; see kwo- in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: Many critics have held that why is redundant in the expression the reason why, as in The reason why he accepted the nomination is not clear. While it is true that why could be eliminated from such examples with no loss to the sense, the construction has been used by reputable English writers since the Renaissance. See Usage Note at where.

Why

Why\, adv. [OE. whi, why, AS. hw[=i], hw?, instrumental case of hw[=a], hw[ae]t; akin to Icel. hv[=i] why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw?. ?. See Who.]

1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; -- used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1.

Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? --Ezek. xxxiii. 11.

2. For which; on account of which; -- used relatively.

No ground of enmity between us known Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm. --Milton.

Turn the discourse; I have a reason why I would not have you speak so tenderly. --Dryden.

3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as, I know not why he left town so suddenly; -- used as a compound relative.

Note: Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. "Why, Jessica!" --Shak.

If her chill heart I can not move, Why, I'll enjoy the very love. --Cowley. Sometimes, also, it is used as a noun.

The how and the why and the where. --Goldsmith.

For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]

Why

Why\, n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
Language Translation for : why
Spanish: por qué,
German: warum,
Japanese: なぜ

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.
Search another word or see why on Thesaurus | Reference