/ ˈriːzn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] reason (why ... ) | reason (that ... ) | reason (for sth / for doing sth) a cause or an explanation for sth that has happened or that sb has done :
I'd like to know the reason why you're so late.
We aren't going for the simple reason that we can't afford it.
She gave no reasons for her decision.
I have no particular reason for doubting him.
He said no but he didn't give a reason .
Give me one good reason why I should help you.
For some reason (= one that I don't know or don't understand) we all have to come in early tomorrow.
The man attacked me for no apparent reason .
She resigned for personal reasons .
For reasons of security the door is always kept locked.
He wants to keep them all in his office for reasons best known to himself .
people who, for whatever reason , are unable to support themselves
'Why do you want to know?' ' No reason ' (= I do not want to say why) .
'Why did she do that?' 'She must have her reasons ' (= secret reasons which she does not want to tell) .
( formal )
He was excused by reason of (= because of) his age.
2.
[ U ] reason (to do sth) | reason (why ... ) | reason (for sth / for doing sth) a fact that makes it right or fair to do sth :
They have reason to believe that he is lying.
We have every reason (= have very good reasons) to feel optimistic.
This result gives us all the more reason for optimism.
She complained, with reason (= rightly) , that she had been underpaid.
3.
[ U ] the power of the mind to think in a logical way, to understand and have opinions, etc. :
Only human beings are capable of reason (= of thinking in a logical way, etc.) .
to lose your reason (= become mentally ill)
4.
[ U ] what is possible, practical or right :
I can't get her to listen to reason .
Why can't they see reason ?
to be open to reason (= to be willing to accept sensible advice)
He's looking for a job and he's willing to do anything within reason .
•
IDIOMS
- it stands to reason
—more at rhyme noun
■ verb
1.
to form a judgement about a situation by considering the facts and using your power to think in a logical way :
[ v that ]
She reasoned that she must have left her bag on the train.
[ v ]
They couldn't fire him, he reasoned. He was the only one who knew how the system worked.
[also v speech ]
2.
[ v ] to use your power to think and understand :
the human ability to reason
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- reason sth out
- reason with sb
••
SYNONYMS
reason
grounds ♦ excuse ♦ motive ♦ need ♦ justification ♦ cause ♦ pretext
These are all words for a cause or an explanation for sth that has happened or that sb has done.
reason
a cause or an explanation for sth that has happened or that sb has done; a fact that makes it right or fair to do sth:
He said no but he didn't give a reason.
grounds
( rather formal ) a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing sth:
You have no grounds for complaint.
excuse
a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behaviour; a good reason that you give for doing sth that you want to do for other reasons:
Late again! What's your excuse this time?
•
It gave me an excuse to take the car.
motive
a reason that explains sb's behaviour:
There seemed to be no motive for the murder.
need
(usually used in negative statements) a good reason to do sth:
There is no need for you to get up early tomorrow.
justification
( rather formal ) a good reason why sth exists or is done:
I can see no possible justification for any further tax increases.
grounds or justification?
Justification is used to talk about finding or understanding reasons for actions, or trying to explain why it is a good idea to do sth. It is often used with words like little , no , some , every , without , and not any . Grounds is used more for talking about reasons that already exist, or that have already been decided, for example by law: moral / economic grounds .
cause
( rather formal ) a reason for having particular feelings or behaving in a particular way:
There is no cause for alarm .
pretext
( rather formal ) a false reason that you give for doing sth, usually sth bad, in order to hide the real reason:
He left the party early on the pretext of having to work.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
(a / an) reason / grounds / excuse / motive / need / justification / cause / pretext for sth
the reason / motive behind sth
on the grounds / pretext of / that...
(a) good / valid reason / grounds / excuse / motive / justification / cause
the main / primary reason / grounds / excuse / motive / justification / cause
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French reisun (noun), raisoner (verb), from a variant of Latin ratio(n-) , from the verb reri consider.