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.

“We have to work on our offense because it wasn’t enough today.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Required investments for the newcomers—in new roads, homes, hospitals and machinery—can hurt overall economic productivity, according to Manning, because that capital could have been used to better equip the existing population.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

"We had to fly Air India to get there, because there were no other flights," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

"From South America, Paraguay are like brothers for us... My expectation is tomorrow is going to be very tough, because Paraguay are not only competitive, aggressive. They have good quality."

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Throughout her life, people have often referred to her as a little girl, even in war zones, because she’s so small.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

because

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words