| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024why /hwaɪ, waɪ/USA pronunciation adv., conj., n., pl. whys, interj. adv. - (used to introduce a question) for what cause or reason or purpose?:Why do you ask? Why are you here?
conj. - for what cause or reason:I don't know why he left.
- on account of which:the reason why she refused.
- the reason for which:That is why he returned.
n. [countable] - the cause or reason:to figure out the whys and wherefores.
interj. - (used to express surprise, hesitation, or impatience):Why, go right ahead! Why, what do you mean?
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024why (hwī, wī),USA pronunciation adv., conj., n., pl. whys, interj. adv. - for what? for what reason, cause, or purpose?:Why did you behave so badly?
conj. - for what cause or reason:I don't know why he is leaving.
- for which;
on account of which (usually after reason to introduce a relative clause):the reason why he refused to go. - the reason for which:That is why he returned.
n. - a question concerning the cause or reason for which something is done, achieved, etc.:a child's unending hows and whys.
- the cause or reason:the whys and wherefores of a troublesome situation.
interj. - (used as an expression of surprise, hesitation, etc., or sometimes a mere expletive):Why, it's all gone!
- bef. 900; Middle English; Old English hwī, hwȳ, instr. case of hwæt what; cognate with Old Norse hvī
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024why's (hwīz, wīz),USA pronunciation - Pronounscontraction of why is: Why's dinner so late?
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: why /waɪ/ adv - for what reason, purpose, or cause?: why are you here?
- (used in indirect questions): tell me why you're here
pron - for or because of which: there is no reason why he shouldn't come
n ( pl whys)- (usually plural) the reason, purpose, or cause of something (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores)
interj - an introductory expression of surprise, disagreement, indignation, etc: why, don't be silly!
Etymology: Old English hwī; related to Old Norse hvī, Gothic hveileiks what kind of, Latin quī |