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where

SayWAIR/wɛəɹ//wɛə/

9 meanings of where

Practice

  1. 1
    asking placeadverbinterrogative
    Used to ask about a place, position or situation.

    Think of it like a pin you ask someone to drop on a map.

    Where are you?

    Can you tell me where the nearest pharmacy is?

    UsageSay do you know where it is? (not incorrect: where is it).

  2. 2
    linking placeadverbrelative
    Used after a place or situation word to say more about it, as in 'the house where' or 'a point where'.

    This is the café where we first met.

    She showed me the town where she was born.

    UsageDo not add in: say the town where she was born (not incorrect: where she was born in).

    Note
  3. 3
    in cases whenadverb
    In a situation in which, as in 'where explosives are involved'.

    Where money is concerned, it's best to get everything in writing.

    Where no rule applies, use common sense.

    UsageSay where possible.

    Similarwhen

    Note
  4. 4
    adverb
    In, at or to the place that something is or happens.

    He lives close to where he was born.

    This is a photo of where we stayed.

    UsageSay near where you live.

    Note
  5. 5
    definingadverbcolloquial
    Used in casual definitions, as in 'a draw is where nobody wins'.

    A sleepover is where kids spend the night at a friend's house.

    A draw is where neither team wins.

    UsageIn formal writing, say a draw is a result in which neither side wins.

    Similarwhen

    Note
  6. 6
    adverb
    In or to any place that, meaning wherever.

    You can sleep where you want. All the beds are made.

    Nurses go where they are needed.

    Similarwherever, anywhere

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    contrastconjunction
    Used to contrast two things, meaning 'whereas' or 'while'.

    Where the first film was quiet, the sequel is loud.

    She saves every penny, where her brother spends all he earns.

    Similarwhereas, while

    Note
  2. 8
    nouncountable
    The place where something happens, used as a noun.

    We have the when, but not the where.

    The wheres and whens of the plan are still open.

    Similarplace, location

    Note
  3. 9
    news thatconjunctioncolloquial
    Means 'that' in casual speech, as in 'I read where they caught him'.

    I saw where gas prices are going up again.

    I heard where the bridge is closing.

    UsageIn careful writing, use that: I heard that prices are rising.

    Similarthat

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of where apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English hwǣr, meaning "where" or "at what place". It goes back to an old root used for questions.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts