# because

Pronunciation: US say "bi-KAWZ" /bɪˈkɔz/; UK say "bi-KOZ" /bɪˈkɒz/

## Conjunction

1. For the reason that; introduces the cause of something, or the reason for believing it.
   - Simple: Used to give the reason why something happens, or why you think something is true.
   - _She smiled because she knew the answer._
   - _The match was stopped because the pitch was flooded._

## Adverb

2. Used with 'of' before a noun to mean on account of.
   - Simple: Used with 'of' to give the reason for something.
   - _School was closed because of the storm._
   - _She succeeded because of hard work._

## Interjection

3. Standing alone as the whole answer to a 'why' question, refusing a real reason; short for 'because I said so'.
   - Simple: Used alone as an answer to 'why', meaning 'I won't tell you'.
   - _"Why is the sky blue, Dad?" "Because."_
   - _"Why not?" "Because, that's why."_

## Preposition

4. Used directly before a noun, adjective, or interjection, without 'of', to give a brisk or ironic explanation. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: Used before a single word, without 'of', to give a quick or joking reason, as in 'because reasons'.
   - _We skipped the meeting because Friday._
   - _He bought another guitar because music._

## Adverb

5. For the reason that; used with an extra 'that' to introduce a cause, as in 'because that he rested'. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An old way of giving a reason, with 'that' after it, as in 'because that he rested'.

## Conjunction

6. So that; in order that, expressing purpose rather than cause. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An old use meaning 'so that', giving a purpose.

## Origin

Speakers of Middle English put bi ("by") together with cause to make bi cause, copying how Old French used par cause.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/because (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).