diff --git a/docs/cli.md b/docs/cli.md
index 787a1afd01f..d4bff140c5c 100644
--- a/docs/cli.md
+++ b/docs/cli.md
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ required by
 ### Options
 
 * `--without`: The dependency groups to ignore.
-* `--why`: When showing the full list, or a `--tree` for a single package, display why a package is included.
+* `--why`: When showing the full list, or a `--tree` for a single package, display whether they are a direct dependency or required by other packages.
 * `--with`: The optional dependency groups to include.
 * `--only`: The only dependency groups to include.
 * `--no-dev`: Do not list the dev dependencies. (**Deprecated**, use `--without dev` or `--only main` instead)
diff --git a/src/poetry/console/commands/show.py b/src/poetry/console/commands/show.py
index 8b22e089b8b..1208ca4c3c2 100644
--- a/src/poetry/console/commands/show.py
+++ b/src/poetry/console/commands/show.py
@@ -48,8 +48,9 @@ class ShowCommand(GroupCommand, EnvCommand):
         option(
             "why",
             None,
-            "When showing the full list, or a <info>--tree</info> for a single"
-            " package, also display why it's included.",
+            "When showing the full list, or a <info>--tree</info> for a single package,"
+            " display whether they are a direct dependency or required by other"
+            " packages",
         ),
         option("latest", "l", "Show the latest version."),
         option(