Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

2 CONJ You use why at the beginning of a clause in which you talk about the reasons for something. □  He still could not throw any further light on why the elevator could have become jammed. □  Experts wonder why the U.S. government is not taking similarly strong actions against AIDS in this country. □  I can't understand why they don't want us. ● ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Why is also an adverb. □  I don't know why. □  It's obvious why. □  Here's why.

3 PRON You use why to introduce a relative clause after the word 'reason'. □  There's a reason why women don't read this stuff; it's not funny. □  Unless you're ill, there's no reason why you can't get those 15 minutes of walking in daily. ● ADV [n ADV ] Why is also an adverb. □  He confirmed that the city had been closed to foreigners, but gave no reason why.

4 ADV You use why with 'not' in questions in order to introduce a suggestion. □  Why not give Claire a call? □  Why don't we talk it through?

5 ADV You use why with 'not' in questions in order to express your annoyance or anger. [FEELINGS ] □  Why don't you look where you're going? □  Why don't they just leave it alone?

6 CONVENTION You say why not in order to agree with what someone has suggested. [FORMULAE ] □  'Want to spend the afternoon with me?'—'Why not?'

7 EXCLAM People say ' Why! ' at the beginning of a sentence when they are surprised, shocked, or angry. [mainly AM , FEELINGS ] □  Why hello, Tom.

8the whys and wherefores → see wherefores

Wic|ca /w I kə/ N‑PROPER Wicca is a pagan religion that practises witchcraft.

wick /w I k/ (wicks )

1 N‑COUNT The wick of a candle is the piece of string in it which burns when it is lit.

2 N‑COUNT The wick of a paraffin lamp or cigarette lighter is the part which supplies the fuel to the flame when it is lit.

wick|ed /w I k I d/

1 ADJ You use wicked to describe someone or something that is very bad and deliberately harmful to people. □  She described the shooting as a wicked attack. □  She flew at me, shouting how wicked and evil I was.

2 ADJ If you describe someone or something as wicked , you mean that they are rather naughty, but in a way that you find attractive or enjoyable. □  She had a wicked sense of humour.

wick|er /w I kə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Wicker is long thin sticks, stems, or reeds that have been woven together to make things such as baskets and furniture. □  …a wicker basket.

wicker|work /w I kə ^r wɜː ^r k/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Wickerwork is the same as wicker .

wick|et ◆◇◇ /w I k I t/ (wickets )

1 N‑COUNT In cricket, a wicket is a set of three upright sticks with two small sticks on top of them at which the ball is bowled. There are two wickets on a cricket pitch.

2 N‑COUNT In cricket, a wicket is the area of grass in between the two wickets on the pitch.

3 N‑COUNT In cricket, when a wicket falls or is taken, a batsman is out.

wicket|keeper /w I k I tkiːpə ^r / (wicketkeepers ) also wicket-keeper N‑COUNT A wicketkeeper is the player in a cricket team who stands behind the wicket in order to stop balls that the batsman misses or to catch balls that the batsman hits.

wide ◆◆◆ /wa I d/ (wider , widest )

1 ADJ Something that is wide measures a large distance from one side or edge to the other. □  All worktops should be wide enough to allow plenty of space for food preparation. □  …a wide-brimmed sunhat.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A wide smile is one in which your mouth is stretched because you are very pleased or amused. □  It brought a wide smile to his face and laughter to his eyes. ●  wide|ly ADV [ADV after v] □  He was grinning widely, waving to her as he ran.