why

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: hwī, IPA ^(key): /ʍaɪ/, SAMPA: /WaI/
• (US) enPR: wī, IPA ^(key): /waɪ/, SAMPA: /waI/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  (in accents without the wine-whine merger)

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  (in accents with the wine-whine merger)

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

  (in accents with the wine-whine merger)

Homophones

in accents with the wine-whine merger

• Wye
• y

Adverb

Positive why

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (question) Used to ask the reason for something.

   Why did you say that?

   Why did you try to steal money from this shop?

2. (question) Used to talk about the reason for something.

   I wonder why he did that.

3. (relative) Used to give more information about the reason for something.

   Can you tell me the reason why he did that?

Interjection

Interjection why

1. Used to show a person's surprise or impatience about something.

   Why! Thank you for the present.

Noun

Singular why

Plural whys or whies

1. (plural: whys) The reason to something.

   Whenever you begin to write an essay, please do not forget to talk about the who, the what, the when, the where, the why and the how.

2. (plural: whies) (UK) A why is a young cow or woman.