why
UK: waɪ | US: waɪ
Definition
adv. for what reason or purpose
n. the reason or explanation for something
Structure
wh <interrogative>y <adverbial suffix>
Etymology
why = wh<interrogative> + y<adverbial suffix>
- wh (interrogative): From Old English hw-, a prefix used in question words (e.g., who, what).
- y (adverbial suffix): Derived from Old English -ī, a suffix forming adverbs of manner or cause.
Etymology Origin:
The word why traces back to Old English hwȳ or hwī, a fusion of the interrogative root hw- (shared with who, what) and the adverbial suffix -ī. It evolved from Proto-Germanic hwī (by what cause) and is linked to Latin quī (how) and Greek poios (which). The spelling stabilized in Middle English as why, retaining its core function of questioning reason or purpose.
Examples
Why did you leave the meeting early?
She asked why the sky is blue.
I don’t understand why he was upset.
Tell me why you chose this career.
That’s the reason why we delayed the project.