when

[ wen, hwen; unstressed wuhn, hwuhn ]

adverb

1. at what time or period? how long ago? how soon?:

   When are they to arrive?

   When did the Roman Empire exist?

2. under what circumstances? upon what occasion?:

   When is a letter of condolence in order?

   When did you ever see such a crowd?

conjunction

1. at what time:

   to know when to be silent.

2. at the time or in the event that:

   when we were young;

   when the noise stops.

3. at any time; whenever:

   He is impatient when he is kept waiting.

4. upon or after which; and then:

   We had just fallen asleep when the bell rang.

5. while on the contrary; considering that; whereas:

   Why are you here when you should be in school?

pronoun

1. what time:

   Till when is the store open?

2. which time:

   They left on Monday, since when we have heard nothing.

noun

1. the time of anything:

   the when and the where of an act.

when

/ wɛn /

adverb

1. 1. at what time? over what period?

      when is he due?

   2. ( used in indirect questions )

      ask him when he's due

2. say when
   to state when an action is to be stopped or begun, as when someone is pouring a drink
3. subordinating at a time at which; at the time at which; just as; after

   I found it easily when I started to look seriously

4. although

   he drives when he might walk

5. considering the fact that

   how did you pass the exam when you'd not worked for it?

6. at which (time); over which (period)

   an age when men were men

noun

1. usually plural a question as to the time of some occurrence

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of when¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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