cause

cause is on the Basic English 850 List.

cat - cause - certain

cause is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

catch - cause - cent

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: kôz, IPA ^(key): /kɔːz/ or [kʰoːz̥]
• (US) IPA ^(key): /kɔz/ or [kʰɒːz̥]

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular cause

Plural causes

Cause is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

1. (countable) A cause is what leads to something happening.

   The cause of the fire was lightning.

2. (countable) A cause is a goal, aim or principle that people support or fight for.

   He is fighting for a just cause.

Verb

Plain form cause

Third-person singular causes

Past tense caused

Past participle caused

Present participle causing

Cause is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

1. (transitive) To cause something is to make it happen.

   His careless driving caused the car accident.