wherefore Meaning & Definition
What Does Wherefore Mean?
Wherefore is an adverb that means Why, for what reason, because of what. It is also used to mean Therefore; thus. As a conjunction, it means Because of which. As a noun, it means An intent or purpose; a why.
Quick Facts About Wherefore
| Part of speech | adverb, conjunction, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈwɛəˌfɔː// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | why and wherefor |
| Plural | wherefores |
Wherefore Definition (Adverb)
- Why, for what reason, because of what.
- Therefore; thus.
Wherefore as a Conjunction
- Because of which.
Wherefore as a Noun
- An intent or purpose; a why.
Adverb
- (interrogative) Why, for what reason, because of what.
- (indicative) Therefore.
Synonyms of Wherefore
Wherefore synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Wherefore
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Wherefore in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
wherefore (not comparable)
wherefore
wherefore (plural wherefores)
Origin of Wherefore
From Middle English wherfor, wherfore, hwarfore, equivalent to where- (“what”) + for. Compare Dutch waarvoor (“what for, wherefore”), German wofür (“for what, what for, why”), Danish and Norwegian hvorfor (“wherefore, why”), Swedish varför (“wherefore, why”). More at where, for.
Pronouncing Wherefore
You say wherefore as //ˈwɛəˌfɔː//. It has 1 syllable.
Questions People Ask About Wherefore
Is wherefore an adverb or a conjunction?
Wherefore is mainly used as an adverb, but it can also be used as a conjunction and a noun.
What is another word for wherefore?
Words with a similar meaning to wherefore include why and wherefor. See the full list of wherefore synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of wherefore?
The plural of wherefore is wherefores.