wherefore

UK: /ˈwɛəˌfɔː/

US: /ˈhwɛrfɔr, ˈwɛr-/

US: (hwâr′fôr′, -fōr′, wâr′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

where•fore /ˈhwɛrfɔr, ˈwɛr-/   adv. 

1. for that cause or reason.

n. [countable]

2. a cause or reason:
   all the whys and wherefores of a situation.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

where•fore  (hwâr′fôr′, -fōr′, wâr′-), adv. 

1. [Archaic.] for what? why?
2. for that cause or reason:
   Wherefore let us be grateful.

n. 

3. the cause or reason:
   to study the whys and wherefores of a situation.

• 1150–1200; Middle English; see where, for

Synonyms

• 2. See therefore. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wherefore, wherefor / ˈwɛəˌfɔː/ noun

1. (usually plural) an explanation or reason (esp in the phrase the whys and wherefores)

adverb

1. for what reason? why?

sentence_connector

1. for which reason: used as an introductory word in legal preambles