why
adverb
, ˈwī\
Definition of why
(Entry 1 of 4)
why
conjunctionDefinition of why (Entry 2 of 4)
why
nounDefinition of why (Entry 3 of 4)
why
interjectionDefinition of why (Entry 4 of 4)
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Synonyms for why
Synonyms: Noun
account, authority, grounds, motive, reason, subject, wherefore
Synonyms: Interjection
ah, aha, come on, fie, indeed, my word, no, pshaw, well, what
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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 lifeInterjection
why, what a strange thing to say!
Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb
Well, that’s why the truth sandwiches are important. — Sean Illing, Vox, "How the media should respond to Trump’s lies: State of the Union edition," 5 Feb. 2019 This is the same reason why these researchers think people underestimate it. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Oh sorry, is eating meat bad for the planet? I didn’t know.," 20 Dec. 2018 And why not celebrate this profound inclusivity on your runways and your Instagram and in your ad campaign? — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "The New Fashion Communities: How the Industry Is Embracing Inclusivity," 17 Jan. 2019 There are a few reasons why someone might not want to breastfeed or be able to nurse. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Jana Kramer on the Criticism She Received After Deciding Not to Breastfeed: 'It’s Just Frustrating'," 17 Jan. 2019 That's why Ford has upgraded its Robutt to include sweat replication. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Ford's Sweaty Robutt is The Perfect Rear End Test," 11 Jan. 2019 Here's exactly when Lent will take place this year and why Christians observe Lent in the first place. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "When Is Lent? Here's Everything You Need to Know," 11 Jan. 2019 These colors are inherently more intense, which is why muted tones tend to have a relaxing effect. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "14 Calming Paint Colors That Will Change the Way You Live," 9 Jan. 2019 That’s why Prince Harry traded his longtime right-hand accessory—his Marlboro Lights—thanks to Markle's encouragement. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "All the Ways Meghan Markle Has Transformed Prince Harry’s Bad Boy Health Habits," 4 Jan. 2019Recent 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. 2017Recent 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. 2017These 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.
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Statistics for why
Last Updated
18 Feb 2019
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Time Traveler for why
The first known use of why was before the 12th century
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More Definitions for why
why
adverb
English Language Learners Definition of why
(Entry 1 of 3)
why
conjunctionEnglish Language Learners Definition of why (Entry 2 of 3)
why
interjectionEnglish Language Learners Definition of why (Entry 3 of 3)
See the full definition for why in the English Language Learners Dictionary
why
adverb
, ˈwī\
Kids Definition of why
(Entry 1 of 3)
why
conjunctionKids Definition of why (Entry 2 of 3)
why
interjectionKids Definition of why (Entry 3 of 3)
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