cause

¹cause

noun \ˈkȯz\

Definition of CAUSE

1

a : a reason for an action or condition : motive

b : something that brings about an effect or a result

c : a person or thing that is the occasion of an action or state; especially : an agent that brings something about

d : sufficient reason <discharged for cause>

2

a : a ground of legal action

b : case

3

: a matter or question to be decided

4

a : a principle or movement militantly defended or supported

b : a charitable undertaking <for a good cause>

— cause·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of CAUSE

1. His symptoms had no apparent physical causes.
2. She is the cause of all their problems.
3. The medicine was prescribed without good cause.
4. Their marriage was a cause for celebration.
5. I can support a cause that means something to me.
6. I'm willing to donate money as long as it's for a good cause.

Origin of CAUSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin causa

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CAUSE

Synonyms

antecedent, causality, causation, occasion, reason

Antonyms

aftereffect, aftermath, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

Related Words

consideration, determinant, factor; alpha and omega, be-all and end-all; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Near Antonyms

ramification; denouement (also dénouement), repercussion; conclusion, end; by-product, side effect (also side reaction)

Rhymes with CAUSE

'cause, clause, gauze, hawse, pause, tawse, yaws

²cause

transitive verb

causedcaus·ing

Definition of CAUSE

1

: to serve as a cause or occasion of <cause an accident>

2

: to compel by command, authority, or force <caused him to resign>

— caus·er noun

Examples of CAUSE

1. He swerved and caused an accident.
2. The flood caused great hardship.
3. The illness is caused by a virus.
4. The flood caused the town great hardship.
5. You caused us a lot of extra work.

First Known Use of CAUSE

14th century

Related to CAUSE

Synonyms

beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, effect, create, do, draw on, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield

Related Words

ingenerate; conduce (to), contribute (to); decide, determine; begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start; advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote; enact, render, turn out

Near Antonyms

impede, limit, restrict; clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress; arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard; can [slang], kill, snuff (out), still; abolish, demolish, destroy, extinguish, liquidate, quench