The meaning of WHY is for what cause, reason, or purpose. How to use why in a sentence. Delve into the comprehensive guide for why in The Academic Glossary. This entry covers its deep etymology, various definitions, real-world usage examples in literature, media, and daily discourse, and common idiomatic phrases, aiding a complete understanding. There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word why, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. You use why in questions when you ask about the reasons for something. Why hasn't he brought the bill? Why didn't he stop me? Why can't I remember the exact year we married? The most common use of “why” is as an interrogative adverb, where it introduces a question about reasons or causes. In direct questions, it modifies the verb and helps gather information by asking “for what reason” or “due to what cause.” a. for what reason, purpose, or cause?: why are you here?. b. (used in indirect questions): tell me why you're here. /waɪ/ IPA guide Other forms: whys Definitions of why noun the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores' synonyms: wherefore Why is it is commonly used to ask questions about a specific situation or action, while why it is is used to provide an explanation or reason for something. The word why is one of the most commonly used words in English, essential in questioning, reasoning, and exploring concepts. Its prevalence spans everyday conversation, academic settings, and formal inquiries, making it a cornerstone of communication. When we ask for reasons in speaking, we can use the phrase why is that? In informal conversations we often say why’s that?: ….