why

adverb

\ ˈhwī

, ˈwī\

Definition of why

(Entry 1 of 4)

: for what cause, reason, or purpose why did you do it?

why

conjunction

Definition of why (Entry 2 of 4)

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

why

noun

plural whys

Definition of why (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : reason, cause wants to know the whys and wherefores

2 : a baffling problem : enigma

why

interjection

Definition of why (Entry 4 of 4)

—used to express mild surprise, hesitation, approval, disapproval, or impatience why, here's what I was looking for

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about why

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Examples of why in a Sentence

Adverb

Why did you quit your job? Why is the sky blue? Why didn't you call me? Why didn't I think of that? “I can't go out tonight.” “Why not?”

Conjunction

I know why he did it. It's easy to see why she fell in love with him. He's a very good player. That's why he made the team. The reason why they succeeded is obvious. They worked really hard. Give me one good reason why I should stay.

Noun

asked the whys behind the surprising decision how one decides that a certain he or she is “the one” is one of the great whys of life

Interjection

why, what a strange thing to say!

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Recognizing how special William is explains why Ron doesn't want to bid farewell to him so soon. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Ron Cephas Jones Isn't Ready to Say Goodbye to William," 19 Mar. 2019 So why not make use of this precious healing period to, say, work on perfecting that healthy glow or achieving those silky-soft strands? — Teen Vogue, "These 10 Overnight Masks Will Help Elevate Your Beauty Sleep," 13 Mar. 2019 Still, there are reasons why it was made as a limited series in the first place. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Is Sharp Objects, the HBO Series Starring Amy Adams, Getting a Season 2? Well, Maybe.," 12 Mar. 2019 The mood backstage depends heavily on the models’ ease and excitement, which explains why some of Tenold’s favorite photos of the season depict the likes of Adut Akech and Karlie Kloss simply having a great time. — Emily Farra, Vogue, "What Makes a Great Backstage Photo? Vogue’s Corey Tenold Shares His 10 Favorite Moments of the Season," 14 Mar. 2019 This is why doctors recommend against adding anything sudsy or fragrant, like bath bombs or essential oils. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What the Hell Is a Sitz Bath? (And Why Would You Take One?)," 14 Mar. 2019 That’s why almost all masons start out working for somebody. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Become a Skilled Tradesperson," 13 Mar. 2019 The confidential report from Mr. Mueller to Mr. Barr would contain details about why Mr. Mueller did or didn’t pursue criminal charges, which the Justice Department typically refuses to publicly discuss. — Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, "Where the Mueller Report Stands—and What Could Happen Next," 22 Feb. 2019 Which is your favorite shoe from the new collection and why? — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kendall Jenner Found a Pair of Shoes She Can Wear "700 Times"—And Now You Can Shop It," 14 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

And the why is that it’s, unfortunately, human nature that has presented itself in so many, many ways. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "Precious possessions: The genocide survivors who kept them tell their stories," 13 July 2018 Businesses and individuals are expected to operate within this principle - why shouldn’t government as well? — Jason Lewis, BostonGlobe.com, "Should the Legislature revive the push for a millionaires tax?," 5 July 2018 Makes perfect sense in a why-has-no-one-ever-thought-of-that-before way, no? — Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, "Meet Your Next K-Beauty Obsession: Cushion Eyeliner," 2 Oct. 2015 For many in Westbury, not knowing the how or the why of this homicide case haunts them. — CBS News, "Police probe killing of Binghamton University nursing student," 12 Mar. 2018 The following story, about the how and the why, was pieced together using Austin’s own words. — Keith Bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, "A school shooter, in his own words: 'I wasn't wanted by anyone'," 23 Feb. 2018 Once the why-does-this-take-so-long process of deboarding finishes, the NAU contingent wanders from A to B (gates) of Terminal 4. — Joel Odom, OregonLive.com, "Portland State Vikings complete comeback, top Idaho State," 19 Jan. 2018 But the why of space in its economic context is just as important—maybe even more so. — Ed Finn, Slate Magazine, "Space Is Not a Void," 14 Dec. 2017 Where are the lengthy, the tedious, the why-is-this taking-so-long flights? — Devon Ivie, CNT, "The Shortest Flight in the U.S. Lasts Just 16 Minutes," 27 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Interjection

And why, oh why, can’t this administration get anything, even a pair of shoes, right? — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "Melania Trump’s Hurricane Stilettos, and the White House’s Continual Failure to Understand Optics," 29 Aug. 2017 And why, oh why, did my friend have to play back-alley obstetrician? — Shannon Boodram, Cosmopolitan, "Read the Fictional Orgasm Essay Jane Wrote on The Bold Type," 3 Aug. 2017 Then why, oh why, make the misguided choice of inviting a political propagandist whose rantings are regularly available on radio, YouTube and any dark den of far-right Internet conspiracy? — Lorraine Ali, latimes.com, "The uproar over the Megyn Kelly interview with Alex Jones shows her, and NBC's, lack of news judgment," 12 June 2017 Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games? — Filip Bondy, New York Times, "Trying to Prevent a Third Loss, Rangers Embrace Second-Guessing," 30 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'why.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.