where

[ wair, hwair ]

adverb

1. in or at what place?:

   Where is he? Where do you live?

2. in what position or circumstances?:

   Where do you stand on this question? Without money, where are you?

3. in what particular respect, way, etc.?:

   Where does this affect us?

4. to what place, point, or end? whither?:

   Where are you going?

5. from what source? whence?:

   Where did you get such a notion?

conjunction

1. in or at what place, part, point, etc.:

   Find where he is. Find where the trouble is.

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

   The book is where you left it.

3. in a position, case, etc., in which:

   Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.

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

   Use the ointment where pain is felt.

5. to what or whatever place; to the place or any place to which:

   I will go where you go.

6. in or at which place; and there:

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

pronoun

1. what place?:

   Where did you come from?

2. the place in which; point at which:

   This is where the boat docks. That was where the phone rang.

noun

1. a place; that place in which something is located or occurs:

   the wheres and hows of job hunting.

where

/ wɛə /

adverb

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

      where are you going?

   2. ( used in indirect questions )

      I don't know where they are

2. 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

1. usually plural a question as to the position, direction, or destination of something

Usage Note

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.

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 has now become acceptable: we now have a situation where/in which no further action is needed

Word History and Origins

Origin of where¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English quher, wher, Old English hwǣr; cognate with Dutch waar, Old High German hwār; akin to Old Norse hvar, Gothic hwar

Word History and Origins

Origin of where¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. where it's at, Slang. where the most exciting, prestigious, or profitable activity or circumstance is to be found.

More idioms and phrases containing where

• close to home (hit where one lives)
• fools rush in where angels fear to tread
• give credit (where credit is due)
• know where one stands
• let the chips fall where they may
• not know where to turn
• put one's money where one's mouth is
• take up where one left off
• tell someone where to get off
• this is where I came in

Example Sentences

And if you really want to put your money where your mouth is, consider setting up recurring donations to a worthy cause.

From Salon

In October, he made his first visit to Brussels since becoming prime minister, where he was welcomed warmly by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

From BBC

It would be fitting for him to overtake the Australian legend in Melbourne, where he has enjoyed huge success over the years, but he had a difficult 2024 by his high standards.

From BBC

"I look forward to starting the season with Andy and having him by my side in Melbourne, where we've shared many exceptional moments throughout our careers," Djokovic added.

From BBC

In the name of public health, we kept going, especially in a lot of blue states where the schools remained closed for the entire academic year, or a large chunk of it.

From Salon