reason
reason Lexical Profile
reason Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cause, explanation, or justification for an action, belief, or event.
"She gave a convincing reason for missing the afternoon lecture."
The mental power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.
"Philosophers of the Enlightenment emphasized the supremacy of human reason over superstition."
Sound judgment, moderation, or sanity of mind.
"We are willing to accommodate any request within reason."
• verb
To think, understand, and form judgments or conclusions logically.
"The committee reasoned that delaying the project would ultimately increase costs."
To persuade or attempt to persuade someone through logical argument or discussion (usually followed by 'with').
"The counselor tried to reason with the frustrated student until he calmed down."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal writing, avoid the redundant construction 'the reason is because'; use 'the reason is that' or simply 'because' instead.
• Rhymes for reason
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English resoun, borrowed from Anglo-French raisun and Old French raison, from Latin ratiō ('reckoning, calculation, judgment, faculty of thought'), derived from the verb rērī ('to reckon, think').