Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person, thing, or event that makes something happen: The reason why something exists or occurs.
   • A principle, aim, or movement that one is prepared to support or advocate for: A goal or ideal that people work to achieve.
   • A matter to be resolved in a court of law: A case or lawsuit.

2. Verb:

   • To make something happen; to be the reason that something occurs: To produce an effect or result.
   • To prompt or force someone to do something: To be the reason that a person acts in a specific way.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Scientists are trying to determine the cause of the fire. (The origin or reason for the fire.)
  • She dedicated her life to the cause of environmental protection. (The goal or movement she supports.)
  • The lawyer presented his client's cause before the judge. (The legal case.)

• Verb:

  • Heavy rain can cause flooding in this area. (Make flooding happen.)
  • The loud noise caused the baby to wake up. (Made the baby wake up.)

Advanced Usage

• "To have cause to (do something)": To have a good reason or justification for doing something.

  • After the repeated delays, we had cause to complain to the manager.

• "In the cause of (something)": For the sake of or in support of a particular principle or goal.

  • They were working in the cause of peace and reconciliation.

• "A lost cause": A person or goal that is certain to fail or cannot be helped.

  • Trying to convince him is a lost cause; he never changes his mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Causal (adj): Relating to or acting as a cause.

  • There is a causal relationship between smoking and lung disease.

• Causation (n): The action of causing something; the relationship between cause and effect.

  • The study investigates the causation of the economic crisis.

• Causative (adj): Acting as a cause; (in grammar) expressing causation (e.g., the verb "to raise" is the causative form of "to rise").

  • "To fell" is the causative verb meaning "to cause to fall."

Synonyms

• Noun (Reason): Reason, origin, source, root.
• Noun (Goal): Principle, ideal, movement, crusade.
• Verb: Produce, create, generate, bring about, induce, prompt.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Cause for (something): A reason for a particular feeling or reaction.

  • The sudden improvement in sales is cause for celebration.

• Make common cause with (someone): To join with someone to achieve a shared goal.

  • The two political parties made common cause with each other to pass the new law.

Related Idioms

• A champion of a cause: Someone who fights for or defends a particular principle or goal.

  • She was known as a champion of the cause for workers' rights.

• For one's own cause: For one's own personal benefit or reasons.

  • He pretended to help, but he was really working for his own cause.

Noun

1. a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
   • the family brought suit against the landlord
2. any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
3. a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
   • he supported populist campaigns
   • they worked in the cause of world peace
   • the team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
   • the movement to end slavery
   • contributed to the war effort
4. a justification for something existing or happening
   • he had no cause to complain
   • they had good reason to rejoice
5. events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
   • they are trying to determine the cause of the crash

Verb

1. cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
   • The ads induced me to buy a VCR
   • My children finally got me to buy a computer
   • My wife made me buy a new sofa
2. give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
   • cause a commotion
   • make a stir
   • cause an accident