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why

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adverb British English pronunciation: why /waɪ/
Why can be used in the following ways:
as a question adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): Why didn't you phone me? ♦ I know why he's worried. (followed by an infinitive without 'to'): We can start now, so why wait?
as a relative adverb (referring back to a noun and introducing a relative clause): She's tired and that's the reason why she's so bad-tempered. (introducing a clause that is the subject, object, or complement of another clause): Everyone in Dublin is so friendly, and that is why I love the city.
as an interjection: Why, what's the matter?
 
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    used for asking the reason for something

    Why are you so angry?

    He asked me why I was leaving so early, and I didn't know what to say.

    why is it that...?:

    Why is it that the country imports so much of its food?

    why ever (=used for showing that you are surprised):

    'She says she's not coming to the wedding.' 'Why ever not?'

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of why
    1. a.
      used when someone knows or says the reason for something

      I don't know why, but there's something I don't like about that woman.

      There are a lot of things we need to discuss, which is why I'm here.

      reason why:

      I can only think of one reason why Frank should be jealous.

  2. 2
    spoken used at the beginning of a comment or reply for showing that you are surprised

    'Henry's arriving on the twenty-eighth.' 'Why, that's tomorrow!'

    Why, I bet you never had the slightest intention of keeping your promise.

phrases

This is the British English definition of why. View American English definition of why.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for why.

 

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