{
    "term": "reason",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a cause or an explanation for something that has happened or that somebody has done",
            "sensetop": "reason for somethingreason for doing somethingreason behind somethingreason (that)…reason why…for a reasonfor reasons of somethingby reason of something",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He said no but he didn't **give a reason**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She gave no reasons for her decision.",
                    "contextForm": "reason for something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I have no particular reason for doubting him.",
                    "contextForm": "reason for doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There were a number of reasons behind her departure.",
                    "contextForm": "reason behind something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We aren't going for the **simple reason** that we can't afford it.",
                    "contextForm": "reason (that)…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Job satisfaction is the **main reason** people remain in jobs or careers."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The **only reason** your parents are doing this is because they care so much for you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Give me **one good reason** why I should help you.",
                    "contextForm": "reason why…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'd like to know the reason why you're so late."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**For some reason** *(= one that I don't know or don't understand)* we all have to come in early tomorrow.",
                    "contextForm": "for a reason"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**For this reason**, it's important to have friends who will support you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These rules are there for a very **good reason**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The man attacked me **for no apparent reason**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Sometimes I cry **for no reason at all**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She resigned for **personal reasons**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**For obvious reasons** the data is not complete."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He wants to keep them all in his office **for reasons best known to himself**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "people who, **for whatever reason**, are unable to support themselves"
                },
                {
                    "text": "For reasons of security the door is always kept locked.",
                    "contextForm": "for reasons of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Why do you want to know?’ ‘**No reason**’ *(= I do not want to say why)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Why did she do that?’ ‘She must **have her reasons**’ *(= secret reasons which she does not want to tell)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was excused by reason of *(= because of)* his age.",
                    "contextForm": "by reason of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "For reasons of security, you are requested to keep your baggage with you at all times."
                },
                {
                    "text": "For some odd reason, he found it really funny."
                },
                {
                    "text": "For some unexplained reason the pilot jettisoned all his fuel shortly after take-off."
                },
                {
                    "text": "For unknown reasons, the ship sank in the middle of the ocean."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She got angry for no reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He married her for all the wrong reasons."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She saw many reasons to be hopeful."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I can think of several reasons why this might happen."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I don't know why he did that, but I'm sure he had his reasons."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I don't see any reason why you can't come with us."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I have no reason to believe that she was lying to me."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I was never good at playing the trumpet for the simple reason that I never practised."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In the letter she carefully set out her reasons for leaving."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Isolation and loneliness are common reasons for depression."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's difficult to pinpoint the reasons for her success."
                },
                {
                    "text": "People buy things for all sorts of reasons."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She did not tell him the real reason for her change of heart."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The company's stated reason for firing him was misconduct."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The only reason I didn't become a professional golfer was because of my family commitments."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The reasons for her decision soon became clear."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The underlying reasons for these differences will be explored in depth in the next chapter."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are obvious reasons against such a move."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There is an assumption that a state will protect its citizens. That is the very reason for the existence of states."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's one big reason why this won't work: cost."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They didn't give any reason for the delay."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This article lists the most common reasons why people pay too much tax."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Tom's problem was that he lacked confidence; Ed failed for precisely the opposite reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We are trying to uncover the reasons behind her decision."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You're asking me to help, and that's the exact reason I came."
                },
                {
                    "text": "dismissal for reasons unconnected with misconduct"
                },
                {
                    "text": "procedures carried out for reasons of national security"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Surely there is no earthly reason why you wouldn't want to come with us?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We see no reason why this band shouldn't be a huge success."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You don't have any reason to complain."
                },
                {
                    "text": "persons in need of care by reason of old age"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was found not guilty by reason of insanity."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Change, cause and effect"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["cogent", "good", "sound"],
                "verb + reason": ["be aware of", "see", "have"],
                "preposition": ["by reason of", "for a/​the reason", "for reason of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "all the more reason",
                    "all sorts of reasons",
                    "every reason"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a fact that makes it right or fair to do something",
            "sensetop": "reason to do somethingreason why…reason for somethingreason for doing somethingwith reason",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They **have reason to believe** she is lying.",
                    "contextForm": "reason to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We **have every reason** *(= have very good reasons)* to feel optimistic."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You have no reason to accuse him of laziness."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She has **good reason** to be concerned."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There is **no reason at all** to doubt it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There is no reason why we should agree to this.",
                    "contextForm": "reason why…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This result gives us **all the more reason** for optimism.",
                    "contextForm": "reason for something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has every reason for feeling excited.",
                    "contextForm": "reason for doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She complained, with reason *(= rightly)*, that she had been underpaid.",
                    "contextForm": "with reason"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You have little reason to be pleased with yourself."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There is ample reason to be optimistic about the economy."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I know you're angry with me, and you have every reason to be."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They complained about the food, and with good reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "If he's unwell, that's all the more reason to go and see him."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["cogent", "good", "sound"],
                "verb + reason": ["be aware of", "see", "have"],
                "preposition": ["by reason of", "for a/​the reason", "for reason of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "all the more reason",
                    "all sorts of reasons",
                    "every reason"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "the power of the mind to think in a logical way, to understand and have opinions, etc.",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Only human beings are capable of reason *(= of thinking in a logical way, etc.)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to lose your reason *(= become mentally ill)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the conflict between faith and reason"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He seems to have lost all sense and reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was beyond all reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We possess the human faculty of reason."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Opinion and argument"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["human"],
                "verb + reason": ["lose", "be open to", "listen to"],
                "preposition": ["beyond reason", "within reason"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an appeal to reason",
                    "faculty of reason",
                    "sense of reason"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "what is possible, practical or right",
            "sensetop": "within reason",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I can't get her to **listen to reason**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Why can't they **see reason**?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Look, you're supposed to be the **voice of reason** here."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Keith appears to be open to reason *(= to be willing to accept sensible advice)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's looking for a job and he's willing to do anything within reason.",
                    "contextForm": "within reason"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm willing to do anything—within reason—to get my case heard."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'll lend you the money you need—within reason, of course!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The residents hope that an appeal to reason will end the rioting."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Sometimes he does things that defy reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I tried to persuade her, but she just wouldn't listen to reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was always the voice of reason, persuading him not to buy things they couldn't afford."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["human"],
                "verb + reason": ["lose", "be open to", "listen to"],
                "preposition": ["beyond reason", "within reason"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an appeal to reason",
                    "faculty of reason",
                    "sense of reason"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "it must be clear to any sensible person who thinks about it",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It stands to reason that they'll leave if you don't pay them enough."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It stands to reason that she wouldn't want them to find out about her personal problems."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "if there is no rhyme or reason to something or it happens without rhyme or reason, it happens in a way that cannot be easily explained or understood",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Suddenly, without rhyme or reason, his mood changed."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's no rhyme or reason to the new opening hours."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈriːzn/",
                "audio": "re/reason/reason__gb_2.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈriːzn/",
                "audio": "re/reason/reason__us_4.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French reisun (noun), raisoner (verb), from a variant of Latin ratio(n-), from the verb reri ‘consider’."
}