where definition - Dictionary

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where

where [ wer, hwer ] (plural wheres) CORE MEANING: an adverb used to ask a question about the place that somebody or something is in, at, coming from, or going to

Where are my keys?

Where are you going?

"Guess where I've been." - "Where?"

Definition:

1. adverb in or to place: used to indicate the place in which something is located or happens

I want to live where it's warm.

Nobody really knew where she had gone.

They went to the beach, where they spent the afternoon.

2. adverb what purpose: used to ask a question about the purpose or goal of something

Where will all your hard work get you?

Where do you want to be after five years in this job?

3. adverb in situation in which: in a or any situation in which

Where there's life, there's hope.

They're at a stage where they can now talk about their problems.

4. noun unknown place: used to refer to an unspecified place or event ( usually used in the plural )

Let us know the wheres and whens of your itinerary.

[ Old English hwær, hwar< Indo-European]

Spelling Note


	See ware¹.

Word Usage


	It is best to avoid usages in which where follows nouns that are unrelated to the ideas of place and space: This is a case where we must confer with a specialist.This is a situation where the accountants are wrong. In formal writing, in which would be more appropriate than where in both these sentences. The preposition from is needed with where when the context involves a point of origin: Where did that cat come from?From where we sit, we can see the stage clearly. In formal writing, the redundant, dangling use of at with where should also be avoided. Thus: He doesn't know where the car is not He doesn't know where the car is at. The preposition to is superfluous with where when where is used in contexts involving destination. Thus: Where are you going? not Where are you going to?