Definitions

raison d'etre

[rey-zohn de-truh, re-zawn de-tr^uh] / ˈreɪ zoʊn ˈdɛ trə, rɛ zɔ̃ ˈdɛ trə /

NOUN

reason for being

Synonyms

WEAK

basis justification for existing rationale reason for existing reason why

raison d'être

NOUN

reason for being

Synonyms

WEAK

basis justification for existing rationale reason for existing reason why

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But, for smaller companies whose AI offerings are their raison d’être, there are pros and cons of the new era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

BeReal’s appeal ended the second the app started pushing users to friend randos and post more than once a day, defeating its entire raison d’être.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2025

Unrestrained power, of course, is the president’s raison d’être.

From Salon • Sep. 27, 2025

Lowell, spurned in his romantic life and treated as a black sheep by his dynastic family, found in Mars a calling, a raison d’être.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

And the Memento Mori of later centuries had its raison d'être.

From H. R. by Lefevre, Edwin

raison d'etre

Example Sentences

Related Words