why

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: hwī, IPA: /ʍaɪ/, SAMPA: /WaI/
• (US) enPR: wī, IPA: /waɪ/, SAMPA: /waI/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
•  Audio (UK)^{help, file}

Homophones

in accents with the wine-whine merger

• Wye
• y

Adverb

Positive why

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. used to ask the reason for something

   Why did you say that?

2. used to talk about the reason for something

   I wonder why he did that.

Interjection

Interjection why

1. used to show surprise

   Why! Thank you for the present.