[wʌɪ], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- for what reason or purpose
(e.g: why did he do it?)

- (with reference to a reason) on account of which; for which
(e.g: the reason why flu jabs need repeating every year is that the virus changes)


Phrases:
- why so?

Origin:
Old English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin
Old English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin

[wʌɪ], (Interjection)

Definitions:
- expressing surprise or indignation
(e.g: why, that's absurd!)

- used to add emphasis to a response
(e.g: ‘You think so?’ ‘Why, yes.’)


Phrases:
- why so?

Origin:
Old English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin

[wʌɪ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a reason or explanation
(e.g: the whys and wherefores of these procedures need to be explained to students)


Phrases:
- why so?

Origin:
Old English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin