because
because Lexical Profile
because Game Scores & Validity
• conjunction
For the reason that; on account of the fact that; since.
"The outdoor concert was postponed because a sudden thunderstorm swept across the city."
• preposition
Used before a prepositionphrase (specifically 'of') or, in informal usage, directly before a noun, adjective, or interjection to indicate the reason or cause for something.
"Many flights were delayed because of the dense morning fog."
Word Nuance & Usage
In standard English, 'because' functions as a subordinating conjunction followed by a full clause (or with 'of' to form the compound preposition 'because of'). In recent informal and internet usage, 'because' is also used directly before a bare noun or adjective as a preposition (e.g., 'because science'), though this remains nonstandard in formal writing.
• Rhymes for because
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in Middle English in the 14th century from the phrase 'bi cause' ('by cause'), modeled after Old French 'par cause de'. The second element derives from Old French 'cause' and Latin 'causa' ('reason, motive, or lawsuit').