Definitions for Wherefore
ˈʰwɛərˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr, ˈwɛər-wher·e·fore

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. why, whereforenoun

   the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. whereforenoun

   An intent or purpose; a why.

2. whereforeadverb

   Why, for what reason, because of what.

3. whereforeadverb

   Therefore.

4. whereforeconjunction

   Because of which.

5. Etymology: From wherfor, wherfore, hwarfore, equivalent to. Compare waarvoor, wofür, and hvorfor, varför. More at where, for.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Whereforeadverb

   Etymology: where and for.

   1. For which reason.

   The ox and the ass desire their food, neither purpose they unto themselves any end wherefore. Richard Hooker.

   There is no cause wherefore we should think God more desirous to manifest his favour by temporal blessings towards them than towards us. Richard Hooker.

   Can ye alledge any just cause wherefore absolutely ye should not condescend, in this controversy, to have your judgment over-ruled by some such definitive sentence? Richard Hooker.

   Shall I tell you why?
   ———— Ay, sir, and wherefore; for, they say, every why hath a wherefore. William Shakespeare, Comedy of Errours.

   2. For what reason?

   Wherefore gaze this goodly company,
   As if they saw some wond’rous monument? William Shakespeare.

   O wherefore was my birth from heav’n foretold
   Twice by an angel? John Milton, Agonistes.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. wherefore

   "Wherefore" is an archaic English term that is primarily used in literary and dramatic contexts. It means "why" or "for what reason/purpose". It is often mistakenly thought to mean "where", largely due to its famous usage in "Romeo and Juliet" where Juliet says "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" which actually means "Romeo, Romeo, why are you Romeo?" not "where are you Romeo?"

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Wherefore

   for which reason; so; -- used relatively

2. Wherefore

   for what reason; why; -- used interrogatively

3. Whereforenoun

   the reason why

4. Etymology: [Where + for.]

Matched Categories

1. • Reason

How to pronounce Wherefore?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Wherefore in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Wherefore in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Wherefore in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of Wherefore in a Sentence

1. W. Somerset Maugham:

   The rain fell alike upon the just and upon the unjust, and for nothing was there a why and a wherefore.

2. William Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet", Act 2 scene 2:

   O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?

3. William Shakespeare:

   O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo

4. John Milton:

   But wherefore thou alone Wherefore with theeCame not all hell broke loose Is pain to themLess pain, less to be fled, or thou than theyLess hardy to endure Courageous chief,The first in flight from pain, hadst thou allegedTo thy deserted host this cause of flight,Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.

5. Dante Alighieri:

   O human race born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou fall.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Wherefore
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wherefore
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Wherefore
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Wherefore