Definition of 'where'

Word Frequency

where

(hweəʳ )

1. adverb

You use where to ask questions about the place something or someone is in, or is coming from or going to.

Where did you meet him?

Where's Anna?

Where are we going?

'You'll never believe where Julie and I are going.'—'Where?'

2. conjunction

You use where after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause in which you mention the place in which something or someone is situated or happens.

People began looking across to see where the noise was coming from.

He knew where Henry Carter had gone.

If he's got something on his mind he knows where to find me.

Ernest Brown lives about a dozen blocks from where the riots began.

Where is also a relative pronoun.

...available at the travel agency where you book your holiday.

Wanchai boasts the Academy of Performing Arts, where everything from Chinese Opera to Shakespeare is performed.

3. adverb

You use where to ask questions about a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something.

Where will it all end?

If they get their way, where will it stop?

It's not so simple. They'll have to let the draft board know, and then where will we be?

4. conjunction

You use where after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause in which you mention a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something.

It's not hard to see where she got her feelings about herself.

She had a feeling she already knew where this conversation was going to lead.

I didn't know where to start.

Where is also a relative pronoun.

...that delicate situation where a friend's confidence can easily be betrayed.

The government is at a stage where it is willing to talk to almost anyone.

5. conjunction

You use where to introduce a clause that contrasts with the other parts of the sentence.

Where some would have given up, she and her coach were determined to lift their game.

Sometimes a teacher will be listened to, where a parent might not.

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Video: pronunciation of
where

where in British English

(wɛə )

adverb

in, at, or to what place, point, or position?

where are you going?

(used in indirect questions)

I don't know where they are

in, at, or to which (place)

the hotel where we spent our honeymoon

3. (subordinating)

in the place at which

where we live it's always raining

noun

4. (usually plural)

a question as to the position, direction, or destination of something

▶ USAGE It was formerly considered incorrect to use where as a substitute for in which after a noun which did not refer to a place or position, but this use is now acceptable: we now have a situation where/in which no further action is needed

Word origin

Old English hwǣr, hwār(a); related to Old Frisian hwēr, Old Saxon, Old High German hwār, Old Norse, Gothic hvar

Word Frequency

where in American English

(hwɛr ; wɛr )

adverb

in or at what place?

where is the car?

to or toward what place or point?

where did he go?

in what situation or position

where will we be if we lose?

in what respect?

where is she to blame?

from what place or source?

where did you get your information?

conjunction

in or at what place

he knows where they are

in or at which place

we came home, where we had dinner

in or at the place or situation in which

he is where he should be

in whatever place, situation, or respect in which

there is never peace where men are greedy

10.

to or toward the place to which

the bus will take you where you're going

to a place in which

she never goes where she's not wanted

11.

to or toward whatever place

go where you please

12. Informal

whereas

a plant needs little attention, where a pet demands a lot

13. Informal

that

used before a noun clause: still objected to by some

I see where the tax rates are going up

pronoun

14.

the place or situation in, at, or to which

he lives two miles from where he works

15.

what or which place

where do you come from?

noun

16.

the place (of an event)

to announce the when and where of the marriage

Word origin

ME wher < OE hwær, akin to Ger wo & to war- in warum: for IE base see what

Word Frequency

where in American English

(hwɛər, wɛər)

adverb

in or at what place?

Where is he?

Where do you live?

in what position or circumstances?

Where do you stand on this question?

Without money, where are you?

in what particular respect, way, etc.?

Where does this affect us?

to what place, point, or end? whither?

Where are you going?

from what source? whence?

Where did you get such a notion?

conjunction

in or at what place, part, point, etc

Find where he is

Find where the trouble is

in or at the place, part, point, etc., in or at which

The book is where you left it

in a position, case, etc., in which

Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise

in any place, position, case, etc., in which; wherever

Use the ointment where pain is felt

10.

to what or whatever place; to the place or any place to which

I will go where you go

11.

in or at which place; and there

They came to the town, where they lodged for the night

12. See where it's at

pronoun

13.

what place?

Where did you come from?

14.

the place in which; point at which

This is where the boat docks

That was where the phone rang

noun

15.

a place; that place in which something is located or occurs

the wheres and hows of job hunting

where … at (Where was he at?) and where … to (Where is this leading to?) are often criticized as redundant because neither at nor to adds anything to the meaning of where, and sentences like the preceding ones are perfectly clear and standard without the final at or to. This criticism does not apply to where … from, which is fully standard: Where does the money come from? The constructions where … at and where … to occur in the speech of educated people but are rare in formal speech and edited writing

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME quher, wher, OE hwǣr; c. D waar, OHG hwār; akin to ON hvar, Goth hwar]

Examples of 'where' in a sentence
where

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It is on the wall above where he sits.The moon brings new love into your life where rock music plays.Or you could meet a new love where rock music plays.And golf is where rock goes to die.An aspiring singer gets a job at a struggling club where a rock star is causing controversy.You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little opening for the ventilator is.The site or sites will have to be in an area where the rock structure provides a barrier against radioactive leakage.You meet where rock music plays.It reminds him of the kind of houses where rock bands used to hang out in Michigan.They must have wondered where that mysterious, green land had disappeared to.