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why not. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
why not, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
why not in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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why not, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Adverb
why not (not comparable)
- Why is that so? (for a negative statement)
I don't want to go out today. — Why not?
- (rhetorical) Used to state that one has no objection to and approves of a proposal.
Let's have pizza for lunch. — Yeah, why not?
- (rhetorical) Used to introduce a proposal.
Why not try turning the handle in the other direction to see if that opens the window?
Usage notes
- Definitions 2 and 3 are more in the nature of assertions than questions, so they are often spoken as assertions and sometimes written without question marks.
Synonyms
Translations
state one has no objection