why not adverb 3why-not noun 1 adverb3 •Why is that so? (for a negative statement)I don't want to go out today. — Why not? •Used to state that one has no objection to and approves of a proposal.Let's have pizza for lunch. — Yeah, why not? •Used to introduce a proposal.Why not try turning the handle in the other direction to see if that opens the window? why-not noun1 •(no longer used) A violent and peremptory procedure without any assigned reason; a sudden conclusive happening.When the church / Was taken with a why-not in the lurch. — 1662
