why
Listen:Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
why/wʌɪ/
▶interrogative adverb for what reason or purpose. ▶relative adverb (with reference to a reason) on account of which; for which.
■ the reason for which.
▶exclamation- 1 expressing surprise or indignation.
- 2 used to add emphasis to a response.
– origin OE hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Gmc origin.
'why' also found in these Oxford entries:
