adverb

why

why

Why are you late?

Why are you late?

I don't know why he left.

I don't know why he left.

((...)) used to ask about the reason for something Why are you late?

((clause)) the reason for which I don't know why he left.

Synonyms: for what reason, wherefore

From Old English 'hwī', the instrumental case of 'hwæt' (what), meaning 'by what'.

It's one of the 'Five Ws' (Who, What, When, Where, Why) used for asking questions. Think of it as the question word for reasons.

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