Definitions

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.

“Earning points is useless because now comes the important part — do-or-die matches. We’re focused on that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

"I can't even step out because my room is flooded, and outside is flooded."

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

"Unfortunately, that's a bit difficult because the number of positions is very limited," she said.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

She was writing partly to thank him, and partly because she was angry, and didn’t know what to do with a scholarship to study journalism in the country that had just bombed her country’s embassy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Hooke, they realize, was seeing empty cork cells because they were dead.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

because

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words