due to

preposition

: as a result of : because of

… due to the complaints of uptight parents … he lost his job …

—Herbert Gold

Using Due to: Usage Guide

The objection to due to as a preposition is only a continuation of disagreements that began in the 18th century over the proper uses of owing and due. Due to is as grammatically sound as owing to, which is frequently recommended in its place. It has been and is used by reputable writers and has been recognized as standard for decades. There is no solid reason to avoid due to.

Synonyms of due to

• with

Examples of due to in a Sentence

evening classes were cancelled due to heavy snow

Recent Examples on the Web

Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele had an excellent tournament with six goals but played under 2,000 minutes across the league and Champions League due to injuries. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Two of the four runways are shut down, as well as a stretch of 67th Avenue along the perimeter due to the crash scene. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026

Boxwoods turn brown due to issues like overwatering, pests, fungal infections, or frost damage. — The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026

The agreement remains unimplemented due to what the government has termed budgetary constraints. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for due to

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

due to

preposition

: because of