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why definition

why (hwī, wī)

adverb

for what reason, cause, or purpose? with what motive?: used in direct, indirect, and implied questions why did he go? he told her why he went

Etymology: ME hwi < OE, instrumental case of hwæt, what

conjunction

  1. because of which; on account of which he knows of no reason why you shouldn't go
  2. the reason for which do you know why he went? this is why he went

noun pl. whys

the reason, cause, motive, purpose, etc. never mind the why and wherefore

interjection

  1. used to express surprise, impatience, indignation, etc.
  2. used as an expletive, to preface a remark
why Idioms

why not

Informal all right; it's acceptable: used to express qualified approval of what has been proposed, suggested, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

why Synonyms

why

modif., conj. & interrog.

for what reason?, how so?, how?, how is it that?, on whose account?, what is the cause that?, to what end?, for what purpose?, on what foundation?, how do you explain that?, how come?*.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

why quotes

For every why he had a wherefore.

-Butler, Samuel

I'm called little Buttercupödear Little Buttercup, Though I could never tell why.

-Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)

The person who knows'how' will always have a job. The person who knows 'why' will always be his boss.

-Ravitch, Diane Silvers

why quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"why." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/why>

APA Style

why. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/why

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