why
- 1For what reason, cause, or purpose.
Why are the shops closed today?
Nobody could explain why the alarm went off.
UsageReported questions use statement order: I don't know why he left (not
incorrect: why did he leave). - 2The reason or cause for which something happens or is done.
That is why we need a second opinion.
The road was flooded, which is why the bus was late.
UsageOften that's why or, after a comma, which is why: I was late, which is why I missed it.
Note
Grammarians call this a fused relative because the antecedent and the relative word merge into one: that is why the sky is blue means "that is the reason for which." Its most useful form is which is why, which ties a consequence to the whole preceding clause. A 2013 Economist piece uses it this way to explain why energy-rich plastics burn so readily.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The Economist published the referenced piece in 2013. en.wikipedia.org
- The piece uses “which is why” to connect plastics’ energy content with their ready combustion. en.wiktionary.org
- 3Used rhetorically to question the point of doing something ('Why wait?') or, with not or a negative, to make a suggestion ('Why not ask her?', 'Why don't we stop for coffee?').
Why wait until tomorrow?
Why not start with the easy questions?
UsageWhy + bare verb questions the point (why wait?); why not + verb suggests something: why not ask her?
- 4Reason, as a noun ('the who, the what, the when, the where, the why and the how'; 'that's my why'); plural 'whys' or 'why's'.
Every good business starts with a why.
The whys and wherefores were never explained.
UsageCommon in the whys and wherefores, meaning all the reasons behind something.
Similarreason, purpose, cause, motive
Note
It can also mean a personal purpose, as when a speaker in a 2022 New York Times article calls her work "my why."
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The cited New York Times article was published in 2022. en.wiktionary.org
- A woman quoted in the article describes her work as "my why." en.wiktionary.org
Less common meanings
- 5Dated or literary interjection of mild surprise, indignation or impatience, or simply to open a reply ('Why yes, that's true'; 'Why, child, I tell thee…').
Why, it's you! I didn't recognize you.
VVhy Child, I tell thee if I vvas thy Mmother I ſhould not diſovvn thee; Don't you ſee I am as kind to you as if I vvas your Mother?
1724, [Daniel Defoe], The Fortunate Mistress; [Roxana]UsageUsually followed by a comma (why, it's you!), though it runs straight into why yes.
Note
An interjection that asks nothing: it opens a reply with a small start of surprise, warmth or impatience, as in why, how kind of you! Defoe uses it in 1724 ("Why Child, I tell thee…").
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Defoe's use dates to 1724, the first publication year of The Fortunate Mistress (Roxana). collections.soane.org
- The quoted words occur in Defoe's novel; Amy speaks them. gutenberg.org
- 6To ask 'why?', or to ask (someone) why ('once you start whying, there's no end to it'); intransitive or transitive.
Why indeed? But once you start whying, there's no end to it.
1930, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, Assorted ArticlesNote
Here the question word becomes a verb and takes ordinary verb endings: whys, whying, whyed. D. H. Lawrence writes that once you start whying, there's no end to it.
Checked 3 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- D. H. Lawrence wrote that once you start whying, there's no end to it; Wiktionary cites Assorted Articles, page 11. en.wiktionary.org
- 7A young heifer.
At two years old, also, the HEIFERS - provincially, “whies,” are generally put to the bull.
1796, William Marshall, The Rural Economy of Yorkshire
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
"Why" comes from Middle English why, from Old English hwȳ, from Proto-Germanic *hwī ("by what, how"), which goes back to the Proto-Indo-European instrumental case of the words for "who" and "what." It is related to Latin quī ("why"), Icelandic hví, and Swedish vi, among others.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Why derives through Middle English why and Old English hwȳ from Proto-Germanic *hwī, meaning “by what, how.” en.wiktionary.org
- The word ultimately derives from a Proto-Indo-European instrumental form of the pronouns meaning “who” and “what.” en.wiktionary.org
- Latin quī is cognate with why and can mean “why.” en.wiktionary.org
- Icelandic hví is related to why. en.wiktionary.org
- Swedish vi is related to why. en.wiktionary.org