[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/why/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [W](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/w/) / why # why adverb (why — asks for a reason); conjunction (the reason why); noun (the whys — rare); interjection (Why, hello!) «why» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A question word that asks for the reason or cause of something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m1) 2. Used to join a reason to a sentence: «That is why I am late.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m2) 3. An old-fashioned word that shows surprise: «Why, it's you!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m3) 4. (casual) «Why not?» means yes, let's; «y» or «y tho» is texting for why. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m4) 5. (casual) «Why me?» is a complaint about bad luck; «why oh why» shows despair. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m5) 6. (rough) «Why the hell…?» or «why on earth…?» shows anger or shock: «Why the hell did you eat all 8?» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m6) 7. (formal) «For what reason», «on what grounds», «account for» and «identify the principal reason for» are stiff ways to ask why: «Account for the observed change.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#m7) ### In the lessons In science, «why» questions ask for causes and explanations: why the sky is blue, why ice floats. In maths, «Explain why» means show your reasoning, not just the answer. In stories, a «why» question often starts the mystery. In casual talk: «y tho», «why not», «why u late». In the exam voice: «Identify the principal reason for…», «Justify your answer», «Account for…». Phrases: why not, that is why, the reason why, why on earth, how and why. ### Examples - Why is the sky blue? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x1) - Why did you leave the door open? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x2) - That is why we wear helmets. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x3) - Explain why your answer is correct. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x4) - I don't know why the plant died. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x5) - Why not try again tomorrow? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x6) - Why, what a lovely surprise! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x7) - Nobody knows why the dog barked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x8) - why u late, bus was at 8:40 (casual) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x9) - «Pizza?» «Why not!» (casual) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x10) - Why the hell did you eat all 8 cookies? (rough) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x11) - Identify the principal reason for the evaporation of water from an open vessel. (formal exam) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x12) - "Why are you knocking me about?" [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/#x13) ### Note «Why» questions are answered with «because». «Explain why» in a test wants a reason, not just a number. Do not confuse with «which» or «what». In a question the verb comes before the subject: «Why are you sad?» not «Why you are sad?» (but casual talk often says «why you sad?»). «Why» does not change the numbers in a maths problem; it asks you to give the reason. «Why not?» is often a yes. Formal «justify» and «account for» = say why. ## In Jewish tradition Used for questions, often from God or people in distress ("Why art thou wroth?"). In the primary lessons: In science, «why» questions ask for causes and explanations: why the sky is blue, why ice floats. In maths, «Explain why» means show your reasoning, not just the answer. In stories, a «why» question often starts the mystery. In casual talk: «y tho», «why not», «why u late». In the exam voice: «Identify the principal reason for…», «Justify your answer», «Account for…». Phrases: why not, that is why, the reason why, why on earth, how and why. ### Examples - And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (Torah GEN.4.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/#x1) - Why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.' (Torah EXO.2.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/#x2) - And Moses said: 'I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.' (Torah EXO.3.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/#x3) - Why did the knees receive me? (Writings JOB.3.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/#x4) - And why do thine eyes wink? (Writings JOB.15.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/#x5) - Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? (Writings PSA.44.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/#x6) ### Note «Why» questions are answered with «because». «Explain why» in a test wants a reason, not just a number. Do not confuse with «which» or «what». In a question the verb comes before the subject: «Why are you sad?» not «Why you are sad?» (but casual talk often says «why you sad?»). «Why» does not change the numbers in a maths problem; it asks you to give the reason. «Why not?» is often a yes. Formal «justify» and «account for» = say why. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «why» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/why/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«why» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/why.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «why» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/why/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«why» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/why.html) on Mova free.