adv 1. (asking a question) for what reason ○ Why did he have to phone me in the middle of the TV film? ○ I asked the ticket collector why the train was late. 2. agreeing with a suggestion ○ Would you like some lunch – Why not? 3. giving a reason ○ She told me why she couldn’t go to the party. 4. showing something else is preferred ○ Why go by plane to Paris when you can take the train? ○ Why don’t we go for a picnic as it’s fine? (NOTE: After why used to ask a question, the verb is put before the subject: Why is the sky blue? but I don’t know why the sky is blue.) ■ interj showing surprise ○ Why, if it isn’t old Mr Smith!
why
adv. [OE. whi, why, AS. hwi, hw, instrumental case of hwa, hwaet; akin to Icel. hvi why, Dan. & Sw. hvi; cf. Goth. hw. . See Who.]
1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; — used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1. “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
2. For which; on account of which; — used relatively. “No ground of enmity between us known
Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm.” Milton. “Turn the discourse; I have a reason why
I would not have you speak so tenderly.” Dryden.
3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as I know not why he left town so suddenly; — used as a compound relative. Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. ´Why, Jessica!´ Shak. “If her chill heart I can not move,
Why, I’ll enjoy the very love.” Cowley. Sometimes, also it is used as a noun. “The how and the why and the where.” Goldsmith. For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]
1. For what cause, reason, or purpose; on what account; wherefore; — used interrogatively. See the Note under What, pron., 1. “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
2. For which; on account of which; — used relatively. “No ground of enmity between us known
Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm.” Milton. “Turn the discourse; I have a reason why
I would not have you speak so tenderly.” Dryden.
3. The reason or cause for which; that on account of which; on what account; as I know not why he left town so suddenly; — used as a compound relative. Why is sometimes used as an interjection or an expletive in expression of surprise or content at a turn of affairs; used also in calling. ´Why, Jessica!´ Shak. “If her chill heart I can not move,
Why, I’ll enjoy the very love.” Cowley. Sometimes, also it is used as a noun. “The how and the why and the where.” Goldsmith. For why, because; why. See Forwhy. [Obs. or Colloq.]
why
n. A young heifer. [Prov. Eng.] Grose. { Whyd´ah bird• , or Whyd´ah finch• }. (Zoöl.) The whidah bird.
Mufasa: "Simba, remember who you are. That's why you're king."
The scentence about “The Lion King”.
Meaning of “why” in English language – adv 1. (asking a question) for what reas...
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