How to Pronounce "wherefore"
word
wɛɹˈfɔɹ
wair-FOR
wˈeəfɔː
WAIR-faw
Definition
An old-fashioned or literary word meaning 'why' or 'for what reason.' Most famously used in Shakespeare's phrase 'Wherefore art thou Romeo?' meaning 'Why are you Romeo?'.
IPA Transcription
American English
wɛɹˈfɔɹ
British English
wˈeəfɔː
Simplified Pronunciation
US
wair-FOR
UK
WAIR-faw
Listen in Context
Wherefore are you upset?
He asked wherefore she had left early.
The reason and the wherefore were unclear.
'Wherefore art thou Romeo?' she whispered, quoting Shakespeare.