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word-vault

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A lightweight JavaScript package for English word definitions and collections.

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{ "term": "why", "partOfSpeech": "adverb", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "used in questions to ask the reason for or purpose of something", "labels": "(informal)", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Why were you late?" }, { "text": "Tell me why you did it." }, { "text": "‘I would like you to go.’ ‘**Why me?**’" }, { "text": "**Why oh why** do people keep leaving the door open?" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "used in questions to suggest that it is not necessary to do something", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Why get upset just because you got one bad grade?" }, { "text": "Why bother to write? We'll see him tomorrow." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "used to give or talk about a reason", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "That's why I left so early." }, { "text": "I know you did it—I just want to know why." }, { "text": "**The reason why** the injection needs repeating every year is that the virus changes." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used in questions to mean ‘why’, expressing surprise", "examples": [ { "text": "Why ever didn't you tell us before?" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to make or agree to a suggestion", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Why not write to her?" }, { "text": "‘Let's eat out.’ ‘**Why not?**’" }, { "text": "**Why don't** we go together?" } ], "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/waɪ/", "audio": "wh/why/why__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/waɪ/", "audio": "wh/why/why__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Old English hwī, hwȳ ‘by what cause’, instrumental case of hwæt ‘what’, of Germanic origin." }