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where

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adverb, conjunction American English pronunciation: where /wer/ American English pronunciation: where /hwer/
Where can be used in the following ways:
as a question adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): Where are you going? ♦ I wonder where she lives.
as a relative adverb (referring back to a noun and introducing a relative clause): I know a place where you can hide. (introducing a clause that is subject, object, or complement of another clause): Stratford is where Shakespeare was born.
as a conjunction (connecting two clauses): I've hidden the money where no one will find it.
 
  1. 1
    in or to what place
    1. a.
      used for asking what place someone or something is in, or what place they go to

      Where would you like to sit?

      I wonder where Jack went.

      where...to:

      Do you know where the road leads to?

      where...from:

      Where did the package come from?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of where
    2. b.
      used when someone knows or says what place someone or something is in or what place they go to

      She didn't say where she works.

      I don't know where Jack is taking me for our anniversary.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of where
  2. 2
    used for referring to a particular place that someone or something is in or that they go to

    We were led to the dining room, where lunch was being served.

    Put the picture where I can see it.

    This cabinet is where she keeps all her sewing things.

    I was a teacher in the college where Khalil was studying.

    Where the temple once stood there is now a large parking garage.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of where
  3. 3
    used for asking about or referring to a situation or a point in a process, discussion, story, etc.

    Where shall I start?

    We may find ourselves in a situation where we can't pay our debts.

    Eventually I reached the point where I was beginning to enjoy my work.

    The Democrats want to raise taxes, and this is where we differ from them.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of where
  4. 4
    used when comparing two people, things, actions, etc. and showing how they are different

    But where a less determined man might have admitted defeat, Wallace fought back with renewed vigor.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of where
  5. 5
    used for asking or saying what the origin of something is

    I don't know where she gets these ideas.

    where...from:

    Xavier is an unusual name. Where does it come from?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of where

phrase

This is the American English definition of where. View British English definition of where.

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View the pronunciation for where.

 

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