See also: why-not

English edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (file)

Adverb edit

why not (not comparable)

  1. Why is that not true?
    I don't want to go out today. — Why not?
  2. (rhetorical) Used to state that one has no objection to and approves of a proposal.
    Let's have pizza for lunch. — Yes, why not?
  3. (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 edit

  • 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 edit

Translations edit