View synonyms for when

when

[ wen, hwen; unstressed wuhn, hwuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

at what time or period? how long ago? how soon?:
When are they to arrive?
When did the Roman Empire exist?
under what circumstances? upon what occasion?:
When is a letter of condolence in order?
When did you ever see such a crowd?

conjunction

at what time:
to know when to be silent.
at the time or in the event that:
when we were young;
when the noise stops.
at any time; whenever:
He is impatient when he is kept waiting.
upon or after which; and then:
We had just fallen asleep when the bell rang.
while on the contrary; considering that; whereas:
Why are you here when you should be in school?

pronoun

what time:
Till when is the store open?
which time:
They left on Monday, since when we have heard nothing.

noun

the time of anything:
the when and the where of an act.

when

/ wɛn /

adverb

1. at what time? over what period?
  when is he due?
2. ( used in indirect questions )
  ask him when he's due
say when
say when to state when an action is to be stopped or begun, as when someone is pouring a drink
subordinating at a time at which; at the time at which; just as; after
I found it easily when I started to look seriously
although
he drives when he might walk
considering the fact that
how did you pass the exam when you'd not worked for it?
at which (time); over which (period)
an age when men were men

noun

usually plural a question as to the time of some occurrence

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Usage

When should not be used loosely as a substitute for in which after a noun which does not refer to a period of time: paralysis is a condition in which (not when ) parts of the body cannot be moved

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Word History and Origins

Origin of when¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English when(ne), Old English hwenne; cognate with German wann “when,” wenn “if, when” (compare Gothic hwan “when, how”); akin to who, what

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Word History and Origins

Origin of when¹

Old English hwanne, hwænne; related to Old High German hwanne, hwenne, Latin cum

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Idioms and Phrases

cross a bridge when one comes to it
push comes to shove, when

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Example Sentences

How/when were you originally approached to collaborate with Target?

From The Daily Beast

He recognizes Thorin as the dwarf who cut off his hand way-back-when, and tries to claim his life.

From The Daily Beast

The congressman's public flogging doesn't fit the crime, and is emblematic of our kick-'em-when-they're-down culture.

From The Daily Beast

It came to a crisisevery girl jumped!when the door opened and Mr. Sharp walked in.

From Project Gutenberg

Mad are the passions, as a colt untamed!When Prudence mounts their backs to ride them mild.

From Project Gutenberg

They take their coats off anywhere and any-when, and somehow it strikes the visitor as the most symbolic thing about them.

From Project Gutenberg

"But all that seems such a pity-when they've tried," grieved Billy.

From Project Gutenberg

"Some actor fellow once said w-when you w-went West you were c-camping out," chattered Carley.

From Project Gutenberg

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

whelping ice when all's said and done

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