when
Americanadverb
-
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
adverb
-
-
at what time? over what period?
when is he due?
-
( used in indirect questions )
ask him when he's due
-
-
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
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
Etymology
Origin of when
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, many people experience both conditions at the same time, and when they occur together, the health effects can intensify.
From Science Daily
When sleep is repeatedly disrupted by frequent awakenings, shorter sleep duration, or pauses in breathing, the cardiovascular system loses critical recovery time.
From Science Daily
CEO Lynn Nicholls said: "People get into situations where cats breed, they then don't know what to do with them, they can't look after them all and when they move a lot of the time they do leave them behind."
From BBC
When BBC Scotland News visited, two workmen painting road markings said they had been "hassled" by locals while going about their jobs.
From BBC
Huntley told me how he had been washing his Alsatian dog, Sadie, when the youngsters strolled by.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
