reason
NOUN
UK
/ˈriːz(ə)n/
WORD FORMS
+
DEFINITIONS5
1
COUNTABLE a fact, situation, or intention that explains why something happened, why someone did something, or why something is true
reason for: The police asked her the reason for her visit.
reason for doing something: Could you explain your reasons for choosing this particular course?
reason why: The reason why so many people caught the disease is still not clear.
reason (that): The reason these cars are so expensive is that they are largely built by hand.
for a reason: The woman cannot be named for legal reasons.
give a reason: Our application was rejected, but the council gave no reason for its decision.
for the simple/obvious/good reason (that): We can’t take you all, for the simple reason that there isn’t enough room in the car.
Collocations and examples
-
Adjectives frequently used with reason
compelling
good
legitimate
...
Explore Collocations
Synonyms and related words
-
Reasons and excuses
reason
excuse
point
...
Explore Thesaurus
COLLOCATIONS
-
Adjectives frequently used with reason
▪ compelling, good, legitimate, logical, main, major, obvious, primary, principal, simple, valid
Verbs frequently used with reason as the object
▪ cite, explain, give, outline, pinpoint, provide, specify, state
2
UNCOUNTABLE a good or clear cause for doing something or thinking something
reason for: With plenty of orders coming in, there is reason for optimism about the company’s future.
reason to do something: Is there any reason to believe that she isn’t telling the truth?
there is every reason to do something (=there are very clear reasons): There was every reason to expect that he would agree.
with reason/not without reason: He has refused to pay, not without reason.
have no reason to do something: She has no reason to shout at you.
see no reason/not see any reason (=when there is no obvious reason why something should happen): I can’t see any reason for refusing their invitation.
Synonyms and related words
+
3
UNCOUNTABLE a way of behaving that most people accept as sensible
She had reason on her side.
listen to/see reason: He finally saw reason and gave me the gun.
reason prevails (=wins): Fortunately, reason prevailed and she did not marry him.
within reason (=according to what is sensible): Let your children have their freedom, within reason.
Synonyms and related words
+
4
UNCOUNTABLE the human ability to think in an intelligent way, make sensible decisions, and form clear arguments
His assessment of the situation is based on sheer emotion, not reason.
Synonyms and related words
+
5
by reason of
because of
The door is always kept locked by reason of security.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 21/02/2018
OPEN DICTIONARY – FEBRUARY2018
PHRASES
-
all the more reason
due to/for reasons beyond someone’s control
for no (apparent) reason
for one reason or another
for reasons best known to himself/herself etc
for reasons of economy/safety/security etc
for some reason
give me one good reason
have your reasons
no reason
the reason behind something
SEE ALSO
-
stand
GET IT RIGHT!
-
After reason, use the preposition for, not of:
✗ The main reason of poverty is unemployment.
✓ The main reason for poverty is unemployment.
✗ A surgeon can’t operate if she doesn’t know the reason of the illness.
✓ A surgeon can’t operate if she doesn’t know the reason for the illness.
SYNONYMS
-
cause the reason that something happens or that you feel a particular emotion: The probable cause of death was drowning.Fifty years after the war, scholars still disagree about its causes.
excuse a reason you give in order to explain why you did something bad or wrong: She gave some excuse about being too sick to finish her essay.
explanation a fact or set of facts that tells you why something happened: There was no obvious explanation for his sudden disappearance.
grounds a word used in official or legal situations, meaning a good or fair reason for doing something: His repeated violence towards her was given as grounds for divorce.Permission for the march was refused, on grounds of public safety.
motivation someone’s personal reason for doing something: The other runners’ times were fast, and that gave me motivation to push even harder.
motive someone’s personal reason for doing something, especially something dishonest or illegal: Police are unsure about a motive for the crime.
pretext a false reason you give for doing something in order to hide your real reason: He got into the warehouse on the pretext of making a building inspection.
purpose the goal that you want to achieve: The purpose of Tuesday’s meeting is to finalize the schedule.
Explanation:
