why
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: whys · why's · whies · whying
Sense 1
For what cause, reason, or purpose. — Introducing a complete question.
Adverb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
For what cause, reason, or purpose. — Introducing a complete question. — With a negative, used rhetorically to make a suggestion.
Adverb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Reason.
Noun
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 4
An exclamation used to express pleasant or unpleasant mild surprise, indignation, or impatience.
Một lời than thở thể hiện sự ngạc nhiên, phẫn nộ hoặc mất kiên nhẫn
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
InterjectionRegister: dated, literary
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “why” mean?
For what cause, reason, or purpose. — Introducing a complete question.
Is “why” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.