cause

/kɔːz/

Say it: KAWZ

1. noun A person, event, or thing that makes something happen.
The leading cause of the accident was determined to be driver error.
2. verb To make something happen, especially something negative or undesirable.
The unexpected frost caused severe damage to the crops.
3. noun A principle, aim, or movement that a group of people supports or fights for.
She has dedicated her life to the cause of environmental protection.

📖 Seen in the wild

The detective searched for the ultimate cause of the mysterious fire.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ cause in a sentence

Investigators have yet to pinpoint the root cause of the system failure.
His careless words caused a great deal of embarrassment for his family.
Donating to the charity felt like contributing to a worthy cause.
The relationship between cause and effect is a fundamental concept in science.
A sudden drop in pressure can cause the vessel to rupture.
He was a rebel without a cause, always looking for a fight.
The new policy is likely to cause more problems than it solves.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

reason source origin root basis foundation trigger agent

reason · implies a logical justification or explanation, rather than a direct physical force.

source · points to the origin or starting point of something.

origin · emphasizes the very beginning or genesis of something.

root · suggests the deep, fundamental, and often hidden cause.

Opposites: effect, result, consequence, outcome

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'cause' traveled from the Latin 'causa', which meant 'a reason, a case, a lawsuit'. It entered English through Old French, initially retaining its legal sense. Over time, its meaning broadened from the specific reason in a legal argument to the general principle of one thing making another happen.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

root causeleading causecause for concerna worthy causecause and effecta lost cause

While 'cause' is neutral, its verb form often carries a slightly negative connotation, as it is frequently paired with problems, damage, or trouble. For positive outcomes, verbs like 'create' or 'produce' are more common. Be careful not to confuse 'cause' with 'reason'; a cause makes something happen, while a reason explains why someone did something.

Word family: causal, causation, causality, causeless

💬 Quick answers

What does 'cause' mean?

As a noun, 'cause' refers to the reason something happens or a principle people fight for. As a verb, it means to make something happen.

What is the difference between 'cause' and 'reason'?

A cause is the direct producer of an effect (the spark that caused the fire). A reason is the justification for an action or belief (the reason I left is that I was tired).

What is the opposite of 'cause'?

The direct counterpart to a cause is its 'effect', 'result', or 'consequence'. They represent the two sides of an action and its outcome.

Is 'cause' a formal word?

'Cause' is a neutral word, fitting for nearly any context. It is equally at home in a scientific paper, a legal brief, and everyday conversation.

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