because of

preposition

: by reason of : on account of

Synonyms of because of

• with

Examples of because of in a Sentence

I was late for work because of the snowstorm, which made driving a nightmare.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, Southern California Edison, which many blamed for starting the Eaton Fire because of faulty equipment, has started a program to reimburse victims. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026

Simi Muhumuza, a 30-year-old creator in Brooklyn, suspects that brands are closing their plus-size lines and working less with plus-size influencers because of the availability of GLP-1s. —Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026

Heavier drinkers had higher mortality than lighter drinkers, but the study excluded lifelong abstainers — many of whom stop drinking because of illness or medication use. —Robert M. Kaplan, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026

But last week, the typically gargantuan feta mountain was more like a molehill—all because of a feta cheese shortage starting in Greece. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for because of

• hereinabove
• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove

Kids Definition

because of

preposition

: by reason of