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why

WY/waɪ/

Noun pluralwhys, why's, whies

7 meanings of why

Practice

  1. 1
    asking reasonadverbinterrogative
    For what reason or purpose, used when asking a question.

    Think of it like a hook that pulls a reason out of the answer.

    Why are you still awake? It's after midnight.

    I don't know why he left early.

    UsageSay I don't know why he left (not incorrect: why did he leave).

  2. 2
    adverb
    The reason for something, as in 'That's why I left' or 'the reason why she resigned'.

    The store was closed, and that's why I didn't buy any milk.

    I was late, which is why I missed the start.

    UsageOften used in that's why, or after a comma in which is why.

    Note
  3. 3
    adverbinterrogative
    Used to suggest doing something, or to say there is no point in doing it.

    Why spend money on what you get for free?

    Why wait in line for an hour when you can order online?

    UsageSay why not + verb to suggest something: why not try?

  4. 4
    nouncountable
    The reason for something, used as a noun.

    We know the what, but not the why.

    She told us all the whys behind her choice to move abroad.

    UsageOften used in the whys and wherefores, meaning all the reasons for something.

    Similarreason, purpose, cause, motive

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    well (surprise)interjectiondated
    An old-fashioned word said at the start of a sentence to show surprise.

    Why, that's ridiculous!

    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]Here, why is a word used to begin a reply, showing mild feeling.

    UsageUsually followed by a comma: why, it's you!

    Similarwell, oh

    Note
  2. 6
    keep askingverbtransitive or intransitive
    To keep asking 'why?', or to ask someone why.
    Why indeed? But once you start whying, there's no end to it.
    1930, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, Assorted Articles

    Similarquestion, query

    Note
  3. 7
    nounobsoleteYorkshire
    An old Yorkshire word for a young cow.
    At two years old, also, the HEIFERS - provincially, “whies,” are generally put to the bull.
    1796, William Marshall, The Rural Economy of YorkshireHere, whies means young female cows.

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from Old English hwȳ, meaning "why." It goes back to very old Germanic and Indo-European roots linked to the words for "who" and "what."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • Why descends from Old English hwȳ, which meant “why.” en.wiktionary.org
  • The word has Germanic and Indo-European ancestry linked to the pronouns meaning “who” and “what.” en.wiktionary.org