wherewith

[ wair-with, -with, hwair- ]

adverb

1. Literary. with which; by means of which.
2. Archaic.
   1. with what?
   2. because of which; by reason of which.
   3. whereupon; at which.

pronoun

1. Archaic. that by which; that with which.

noun

1. Rare. wherewithal.

wherewith

/ wɛəˈwɪθ; -ˈwɪð /

pronoun

1. often foll by an infinitive with or by which

   the pen wherewith I am wont to write

2. something with which

   I have not wherewith to buy my bread

adverb

1. with what?

sentence connector

1. with or after that; whereupon

Word History and Origins

Origin of wherewith¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, wherewith is from the Middle English word wherwith. See where, with

Example Sentences

Five hundred of our fighting men are running to and fro between cliffs and sea carrying stones wherewith to improve our pier.

From Project Gutenberg

Approaching a native hut to ask for a piece of charcoal wherewith to light a cigar, he happened to look inside.

From Project Gutenberg

Our gunners had put more than they could afford into the bombardment and had very little wherewith to pave the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Behold, when the wall is fallen: shall it not be said to you: Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it?

From Project Gutenberg

He had no good sword wherewith to defend himself were he attacked, no good, solid ground on which to take his stand.

From Project Gutenberg