because

[bih-kawz, -koz, -kuhz] / bɪˈkɔz, -ˈkɒz, -ˈkʌz /

CONJUNCTION

on account of

Synonyms

WEAK

as as a result of as long as as things go being by cause of by reason of by virtue of considering due to for for the reason that for the sake of in as much as in behalf of in that in the interest of in view of now that on the grounds that over owing to seeing since thanks to through whereas

PREPOSITION

on account of

Synonyms

WEAK

as being by cause of by reason of by virtue of considering due to for for the reason that for the sake of in as much as in behalf of in that in the interest of in view of now that on the grounds that over owing to seeing since thanks to through whereas

Usage

What are other ways to say because? The conjunction because introduces a direct reason for an occurrence or action: I was sleeping because I was tired. As and since are so casual as to imply merely circumstances attendant on the main statement: As (or since) I was tired, I was sleeping. The reason, proof, or justification introduced by for is like an afterthought or a parenthetical statement: I was famished, for I had not eaten all day. The more formal inasmuch as implies concession; the main statement is true in view of the circumstances introduced by this conjunction: Inasmuch as I was tired, it seemed best to sleep.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That matters because the environment may help explain how several hominin lineages survived at the same time.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

“This is very good news for our people, our plaintiffs, because we’re going to be able to go ahead now with our antitrust claims in both cases,” said Bob Ruyak, an attorney representing the homeowners.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

The selloff matters because it puts one of this year’s most important market rotations to the test.

From MarketWatch • May 16, 2026

In his view, “the long incubation period creates challenges” because Allen says he isn’t convinced that there’s no pre-symptomatic transmission.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Like, yesterday at work when a jumbo-sized Pepsi spilled all over her T-shirt, she refused my spare shirt because it was a cotton-poly blend instead of something called OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

because

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words