Cause: meaning, definitions and examples

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cause

[kɔːz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

reason

A reason or justification for an action or event.

Synonyms

motive, purpose, reason.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cause	Refers to an event or condition that makes something happen. Often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts. The heavy rain was the cause of the flooding. Smoking is a primary cause of lung cancer.
reason	Often used to describe the explanation or justification for something; can refer to both events and human actions. The reason for his absence was a family emergency. She couldn't give a good reason for being late.
motive	Indicates a person's inner reason or driving force for doing something, often used in legal or psychological contexts. Can have a negative connotation when associated with crime or deceit. The detectives were trying to understand the killer’s motive. Money was his main motive for committing the fraud.
purpose	Refers to the intended or desired outcome of an action; suggests a sense of intention and planning. Her purpose in studying hard was to get into a good university. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss our new project.

Examples of usage

What was the cause of the explosion?
She fought for a cause she believed in.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

make happen

Make something happen or exist.

Synonyms

bring about, generate, produce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cause	Best used when describing something that leads to an effect or result, often in a neutral or negative connotation. The heavy rains caused flooding in the area. Smoking can cause serious health problems.
bring about	Suitable for describing something that results in a significant change or effect, often in a positive or planned context. The new law brought about a significant reduction in pollution. His innovative ideas brought about positive changes in the company.
produce	Best utilized when referring to manufacturing or creating physical objects, outcomes, or results, often in a tangible sense. The factory produces thousands of cars each year. Organic farms produce healthier fruits and vegetables.
generate	Frequently used in contexts involving production or creation, often related to energy, income, or ideas. The windmill generates electricity for the entire village. Her speech generated a lot of enthusiasm among the audience.

Examples of usage

The storm caused damage to the crops.
His reckless driving caused the accident.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'causa', meaning 'a reason' or 'a case'.
In Old French, 'cause' was associated with legal matters, showing its importance in reasoning.
The evolution of the term has kept its core meaning related to why things happen.

Philosophy

Philosophers often debate the relationship between cause and effect, questioning whether every effect has a specific cause.
In metaphysics, Aristotle defined four types of causes: material, formal, efficient, and final, categorizing the different explanations for why things exist.
Causality is a fundamental concept in ethics, guiding discussions about responsibility and moral action.

Science

In scientific research, establishing cause-and-effect relationships is crucial to validate hypotheses and experiments.
The term 'causal inference' in statistics refers to drawing conclusions about the presence and strength of a causal relationship.
In physics, the principle of causation underlies many theories, including those related to motion and energy.

Pop Culture

Many films and books explore the theme of cause and consequence, showing how one action can lead to unexpected reactions.
In storytelling, characters often deal with the repercussions of their choices, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's actions.
Popular sayings such as 'actions speak louder than words' highlight the idea that people's deeds often reveal their true intentions.

Psychology

Causality is central to understanding human behavior, as people often seek reasons behind their actions and emotions.
The 'fundamental attribution error' is a psychological concept where individuals overemphasize personal characteristics in explaining someone's behavior while downplaying situational factors.
In therapy, identifying the causes of emotional difficulties helps in developing effective treatment strategies.

Translations

Translations of the word "cause" in other languages:

🇵🇹 causa

🇮🇳 कारण (kāraṇ)

🇩🇪 Ursache

🇮🇩 penyebab

🇺🇦 причина

🇵🇱 przyczyna

🇯🇵 原因 (gen'in)

🇫🇷 cause

🇪🇸 causa

🇹🇷 neden

🇰🇷 원인 (wonin)

🇸🇦 سبب (sabab)

🇨🇿 příčina

🇸🇰 príčina

🇨🇳 原因 (yuányīn)

🇸🇮 vzrok

🇮🇸 orsök

🇰🇿 себеп

🇬🇪 მიზეზი (mizezi)

🇦🇿 səbəb

🇲🇽 causa

Word Frequency Rank

With position #328, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

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325 face
326 areas
327 mind
328 cause
329 method
330 history
331 class
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