Reason Definition & Meaning

reason
noun
  1. a rational motive for a belief or action; "the reason that war was declared"; "the grounds for their declaration"
  2. an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon; "the reason a steady state was never reached was that the back pressure built up too slowly"
  3. the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination; "we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil"
  4. the state of having good sense and sound judgment; "his rationality may have been impaired"; "he had to rely less on reason than on rousing their emotions"
  5. a justification for something existing or happening; "he had no cause to complain"; "they had good reason to rejoice"
  6. a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion; "there is reason to believe he is lying"
verb
  1. decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion; "We reasoned that it was cheaper to rent than to buy a house"
  2. present reasons and arguments
  3. think logically; "The children must learn to reason"

Synonyms for reason

argue verb

present reasons and arguments have an argument about something give evidence of; "The evidence argues for your claim

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
cause noun

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

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conclude verb

decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion

♫ Rhymes
ground noun

the solid part of the earth's surface; "the plane turned away from the sea and moved back over land

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
grounds noun

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

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intellect noun

knowledge and intellectual ability; "he reads to improve his mind

♫ Rhymes
rationality noun

the state of having good sense and sound judgment; "his rationality may have been impaired

♫ Rhymes
reasonableness noun

the state of having good sense and sound judgment; "his rationality may have been impaired

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
understanding adj

characterized by understanding based on comprehension and discernment and empathy

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"Reason" in song lyrics

See how reason is used in real songs:

  • "That you hatin' and contemplatin' on a real pimp for no apparent reason"
    40 Glocc f/ Suga Free, Mr. Shadow — Leave Me Alone (Little Bitty Box)
  • "I killed this fool for no muthafuckin' reason"
    51.50 — Suicyde
  • "I hear voices in my head for what reason"
    Above the Law f/ N.W.A. — The Last Song

Words that rhyme with reason

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Usage tips for "reason"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "reason" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for reason to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with reason ↔ Synonyms for reason 🔬 Words containing reason

Frequently asked questions

What does reason mean?
a rational motive for a belief or action; "the reason that war was declared"; "the grounds for their declaration" an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon; "the reason a steady state was never reached was that the back pressure built up too slowly" the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination; "we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil" the state of having good sense and sound judgment
What part of speech is reason?
Reason is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does reason have?
Reason has 9 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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