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

That’s why, exactly in the middle of that 38-year period, 12 million of the chests were recalled. — David J. Neal, miamiherald, "The recalled chests turned into coffins for 14 kids. Millions might still be out there," 12 July 2018 Experts don’t know why this affects some people and not others and have found that simply continuing with antibiotic treatment can do more harm to a person’s system than good, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. — Kate Sheridan, SELF, "Here’s Exactly What to Do if a Tick Bites You," 14 July 2018 Citing statute and specific reason why a meeting should be closed are in accordance with a model closed meeting statement post on the Maryland Attorney General’s Office website. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Harford school board takes 'corrective action' after violating open meetings law," 13 July 2018 Some have said expensive internet here is one reason why. — Annie Zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska’s last 2 Blockbuster stores are closing, leaving just one in the U.S.," 13 July 2018 Charlotte’s apartment-building boom doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, and a deal announced Friday shows one reason why: Investors are still looking to buy. — Ely Portillo, charlotteobserver, "A multimillion-dollar deal shows why Charlotte’s apartment boom is still going strong," 13 July 2018 This is why the Mets have listened to trade offers for many of their players, including Syndergaard, the All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom and pitcher Zack Wheeler, who has received a good amount of interest because of his lower acquisition cost. — James Wagner, New York Times, "Syndergaard Returns for Five Innings in Mets’ Win Over Nationals," 13 July 2018 Both the director and assistant director quit on the first day (which is why Loeb and Allyn are now directing), as did the costumer, location manager, and several other crew members. — Anna Silman, The Cut, "The Pro-Life ‘Roe v. Wade’ Movie Sounds Like a Total Disaster," 13 July 2018 Those two passes are worth $350, so why not give it a shot? — Ryan Smith, Chicago Reader, "Free Shit / Music Guess who’s on our cover for a chance to win passes to the 2018 Pitchfork Music Festival," 13 July 2018

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.