# why in the world

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/why-in-the-world
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

used to add emphasis to “why” in a question.

## Examples

- Why in the world are you wearing a coat today?
- The store is closed on a Tuesday, so why in the world would they schedule the delivery for today?
- Given the overwhelming evidence that the project would fail, one must ask why in the world the committee chose to approve it.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.