reason

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English Vietnamese dictionary

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Advanced English dictionary

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noun, verb
+ noun
1 [C] ~ (why ...)
~ (that ...)
~ (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. + For some reason (= one that I don't know or don't understand) we all have to come in early tomorrow. + 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 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. - CAUSE
2 [U] ~ (to do sth)
~ (why ...)
~ (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. + You have no reason to accuse him of laziness.
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) + the conflict between faith and reason
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 (informal) it must be clear to any sensible person who thinks about it: It stands to reason that they'll go if you don't pay them enough.
more at RHYME n.
+ 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 to try and find the answer to a problem by using your power to think in a logical way: Reason it out for yourself!
reason with sb to talk to sb in order to persuade them to be more sensible: I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen.
WHICH WORD?
reason / explanation / excuse / pretext / grounds
A reason is the cause of something or something that explains why a particular thing has happened: His reason for resigning was that he was under stress. + She didn't give a reason for her decision. + Police cannot name the man for legal reasons.
If you describe something as an explanation rather than a reason, you may simply be repeating what someone has said: His explanation for resigning was that he was under stress (= that is what he said and it may or may not be true).
An excuse may be true or invented and is a reason that you give to explain or defend your behaviour. If you call something an excuse you may not believe that it is true or you may think that it is not a good enough reason: What's your excuse for being late this time?
A pretext is a false reason that someone gives for doing something in order to hide the real reason: He got into the house on the pretext of checking the gas (= but he really wanted to steal something).
The grounds for something are the reasons for doing, saying or believing it, especially in a formal or legal situation: I left my job on medical grounds. + She had good grounds for divorce.

Thesaurus dictionary

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n.

1 justification, argument, case, explanation, rationale, ground(s), pretext, vindication, defence, why (and wherefore), Literary apologia, apology:

What reason did they give for confiscating our luggage?

2 judgement, common sense, intelligence, sanity, sense(s), saneness, insight, perspicacity, percipience, understanding, rationality, reasoning, mind, intellect:

He must have lost his reason to accuse you of embezzlement.

3 purpose, aim, intention, object, objective, goal, motive, end, point:

His reason for leaving now is to be on time for the curtain.

4 excuse, rationalization:

Ignorance of the law is not an accepted reason for breaking it.

5 by reason of. because of, on account of, owing to, by virtue of, as a result of; due to:

He was declared unfit to stand trial by reason of insanity.

6 within or in reason. reasonable, sensible, justifiable, rational, fitting, proper, acceptable:

We will consider any offer for the house that is within reason.

v.

7 think, conclude, calculate, reckon, estimate, figure (out), work out, deduce, act or think rationally or logically, ratiocinate, use (one's) judgement or common sense, use (one's) head, put two and two together:

I reasoned that she would be arriving at the station at that very moment. Roy certainly hasn't lost his powers of reasoning

8 reason with. argue with, remonstrate with, debate with, discuss with, talk over with, plead with, convince; persuade, dissuade, urge, prevail upon:

George is very stubborn and can't be reasoned with.

Collocation dictionary

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¹ cause/motive/justification; explanation of sth

ADJ.

cogent, good, sound, strong | compelling, convincing | plausible | adequate, sufficient | bona fide, legitimate, valid | wrong

He married her for all the wrong reasons.

| opposite

Tom's problem was that he lacked confidence; Ed failed for precisely the opposite reason.

| important | special | chief, main, major, primary, principal | only, simple, sole

The only reason I didn't become a professional golfer was because of my family commitments. I was never good at playing the trumpet for the simple reason that I never practised.

| real, underlying

She did not tell him the real reason for her change of heart. The underlying reasons for these differences will be explored in depth in the next chapter.

| very

There is an assumption that a state will protect its citizens. That is the very reason for the existence of states.

| apparent, particular

He was attacked for no apparent reason.

| no earthly, (no) possible

Surely there is no earthly reason why you wouldn't want to come with us?

| clear, obvious

The reasons for her decision soon became clear.

| unclear | logical | understandable | justifiable | inexplicable, unexplained, unknown

For some unexplained reason the pilot jettisoned all his fuel shortly after take-off.

| unspecified | unconnected

dismissal for reasons unconnected with redundancy

| personal | sentimental | selfish | professional | commercial, economic, financial, legal, political, social, technical | practical, pragmatic | security | health | humanitarian

VERB + REASON

be aware of, see

We see no reason why this band shouldn't be a huge success.

| have

I don't know why he did that, but I'm sure he had his reasons. I have no reason to believe that she was lying to me.

| cite, give (sb/sth), set out, state

Give me one good reason why I should help you. In the letter she carefully set out her reasons for leaving.

| cite sth as, give sth as | suggest | explain | understand | uncover

PREP.

by ~ of

(formal) persons in need of care by reason of (= because of)old age

| for a/the ~

procedures carried out for reasons of national security

| for ~ of

(formal) For reasons of security, you are requested to keep your luggage with you at all times.

| with/without ~

They complained about the food, and with good reason (= rightly).

| ~ against

There are obvious reasons against such a move.

| ~ behind

We are trying to uncover the reasons behind her decision.

| ~ for

They didn't give any reason for the delay.

PHRASES

all the more reason

If he's unwell, that's all the more reason to go and see him.

| all sorts of reasons

People buy things for all sorts of reasons.

| any/every/little/no/one/some reason

I know you're angry with me, and you have every reason (= very good reasons)to be.

| for reasons best known to yourself

For reasons best known to herself she has turned down the offer.

| for whatever reason

people who, for whatever reason, are unable to support themselves

| a number/variety of reasons, rhyme or reason

There's no rhyme or reason (= logic)to the new opening hours.

² power to think logically; what is possible/right

ADJ.

human

VERB + REASON

lose

He seems to have lost all sense and reason.

| be open to, listen to, see

I tried to persuade her, but she just wouldn't listen to reason.

PREP.

beyond ~

He was beyond all reason.

| within ~

I'll lend you the money you need?within reason, of course!

PHRASES

an appeal to reason

The residents hope that an appeal to reason (= asking the rioters to be reasonable)will end the rioting.

| it stands to reason

It stands to reason (= it is logical)that she wouldn't want them to find out about her personal problems.

| the voice of reason

She was always the voice of reason, persuading him not to buy things they couldn't afford.

Concise English dictionary

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reasons|reasoned|reasoning'rɪːzn
noun
+a rational motive for a belief or action
+an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon
+the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination
+the state of having good sense and sound judgment
+a justification for something existing or happening
+a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion
verb
+decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion
+present reasons and arguments
+think logically

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