Definition of “because” - English Dictionary

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“because” in English

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becauseconjunction

uk ​ /bɪˈkəz/ /bɪˈkɒz/ us ​ /bɪˈkɑːz/

A1 for the reason that:

"Why did you do it?" "Because Carlos told me to".
We can't go to Julia's party because we're going away that weekend.
Just because I'm lending you my dress for tonight doesn't mean you can borrow it whenever you want to.
informal Where've you been, because (= the reason I am asking is that) we haven't seen you recently?

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Grammar

As, because or since?As, because and since are conjunctions. As, because and since all introduce subordinate clauses. They connect the result of something with its reason. …
BecauseBecause is more common than as and since, both in writing and speaking. When we use because, we are focusing on the reason: …
As and sinceWe often use as and since when we want to focus more on the result than the reason. As and since are more formal than because. We usually put a comma before since after the main clause: …
Because, because of and cos, cos of …
Because: meaning and useBecause introduces clauses of cause and reason. It is a subordinating conjunction. This means that the clause it introduces is a subordinate clause, which needs a main clause to make it complete. We use a comma when the subordinate clause comes before the main clause: …
Because ofBecause of is a two-word preposition meaning ‘as a result of’: …
CosCos, a short form of because, is pronounced /kəz/ or /kɒz/ and can also be spelt ’cause. It can be used instead of because (and cos of instead of because of). We often use it in speaking, emails and text messages, especially in informal situations: …
Just because, simply becauseWe can emphasise because with just or simply: …

(Definition of “because” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“because” in American English

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becauseconjunction

us ​ /bɪˈkɔz/

› for the reason that:

"Why did you throw it?" "Because Carlos told me to."
We can’t go to Julia’s party because we’re going away that weekend.
because of
preposition

› as a result of:

The trip was canceled because of bad weather.

(Definition of “because” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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