{
    "term": "why",
    "partOfSpeech": "adverb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "used in questions to ask the reason for or purpose of something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Why were you late?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Tell me why you did it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘I would like you to go.’ ‘**Why me?**’"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**Why oh why** do people keep leaving the door open?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "used in questions to suggest that it is not necessary to do something",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Why get upset just because you got one bad grade?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Why bother to write? We'll see him tomorrow."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "used to give or talk about a reason",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "That's why I left so early."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I know you did it—I just want to know why."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**The reason why** the injection needs repeating every year is that the virus changes."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used in questions to mean ‘why’, expressing surprise",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Why ever didn't you tell us before?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to make or agree to a suggestion",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Why not write to her?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Let's eat out.’ ‘**Why not?**’"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**Why don't** we go together?"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/waɪ/",
                "audio": "wh/why/why__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/waɪ/",
                "audio": "wh/why/why__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin."
}