Adjacent Words

Why definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

WHY, adv. [L., for what. The original phrase is for what, for why.]
1. For what cause or reason, interrogatively.
Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die? Jeremiah 27.
2. For which reason or cause, relatively.
No ground of enmity, why he should mean me ill.
3. For what reason or cause; for which; relatively.
Turn the discourse; I have a reason why I would not have you speak so tenderly.
4. It is used sometimes emphatically, or rather as a expletive.
If her chill heart I cannot move, why, Ill enjoy the very love.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores' [syn: why, wherefore]

Merriam Webster's

I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwy?, instrumental case of hwæt what — more at what Date: before 12th century for what cause, reason, or purpose <why did you do it?> II. conjunction Date: before 12th century 1. the cause, reason, or purpose for which <know why you did it> <that is why you did it> 2. for which ; on account of which <know the reason why you did it> III. noun (plural whys) Date: 13th century 1. reason, cause <wants to know the whys and wherefores> 2. a baffling problem ; enigma IV. interjection Date: 1519 — used to express mild surprise, hesitation, approval, disapproval, or impatience <why, here's what I was looking for>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adv., int., & n. --adv. 1 a for what reason or purpose (why did you do it?; I do not know why you came). b on what grounds (why do you say that?). 2 (prec. by reason etc.) for which (the reasons why I did it). --int. expressing: 1 surprised discovery or recognition (why, it's you!). 2 impatience (why, of course I do!). 3 reflection (why, yes, I think so). 4 objection (why, what is wrong with it?). --n. (pl. whys) a reason or explanation (esp. whys and wherefores). Phrases and idioms: why so? on what grounds?; for what reason or purpose? Etymology: OE hwi, hwy instr. of hwæt WHAT f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Why Why, n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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.]

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You use why in questions when you ask about the reasons for something. Why hasn't he brought the whisky?... Why didn't he stop me?... 'I just want to see him.'—'Why?'... Why should I leave? QUEST 2. You use why at the beginning of a clause in which you talk about the reasons for something. He still could not throw any further light on why the elevator could have become jammed... Experts wonder why the US government is not taking similarly strong actions against AIDS in this country... I can't understand why they don't want us. CONJ • Why is also an adverb. I don't know why... It's obvious why... Here's why. ADV: ADV after v, be ADV 3. You use why to introduce a relative clause after the word 'reason'. There's a reason why women don't read this stuff; it's not funny... Unless you're ill, there's no reason why you can't get those 15 minutes of walking in daily. PRON • Why is also an adverb. He confirmed that the city had been closed to foreigners, but gave no reason why. ADV: n ADV 4. You use why with 'not' in questions in order to introduce a suggestion. Why not give Claire a call?... Why don't we talk it through? QUEST 5. You use why with 'not' in questions in order to express your annoyance or anger. Why don't you look where you're going?... Why don't they just leave it alone? QUEST [feelings] 6. You say why not in order to agree with what someone has suggested. 'Want to spend the afternoon with me?'—'Why not?'... CONVENTION [formulae] 7. People say 'Why!' at the beginning of a sentence when they are surprised, shocked, or angry. (mainly AM) Why hello, Tom... EXCLAM [feelings] 8. the whys and wherefores: see wherefores

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

ad. 1. Wherefore, for what cause or reason, on what account. 2. For what purpose, with what intent, to what end.

Moby Thesaurus

Chinese puzzle, argument, baffling problem, brain twister, conundrum, crossword puzzle, crux, enigma, enigmatic question, excuse, explanation, floorer, for which, for why, from what cause, ground, how come, jigsaw puzzle, knot, knotty point, mind-boggler, mystery, mystification, nut to crack, on what account, perplexed question, perplexity, poser, pourquoi, pretense, pretext, problem, proof, puzzle, puzzlement, puzzler, question, question mark, rational ground, rationale, reason, reason for, reason why, riddle, sixty-four dollar question, stated cause, sticker, stumper, the big idea, the idea, the whatfor, the wherefore, the why, tough proposition, underlying reason, vexed question, what for, wherefore, whyever, whyfor