when

[ wen, hwen; unstressed wuhn, hwuhn ]

/ wɛn, ʰwɛn; unstressed wən, ʰwən /

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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.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

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Origin of when

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH when

1. when , whence2. wen, when

Words nearby when

whelk, whelked, whelm, whelp, whelping ice, when, when all's said and done, whenas, whence, whencesoever, when'd

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use when in a sentence

How/when were you originally approached to collaborate with Target?
Peter Pilotto Makes Target Go Pop in Latest Collaboration|The Fashion Beast Team|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He recognizes Thorin as the dwarf who cut off his hand way-back-when, and tries to claim his life.
‘The Hobbit’: 19 Changes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Novel to Peter Jackson’s Movie|Anna Klassen|December 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The congressman's public flogging doesn't fit the crime, and is emblematic of our kick-'em-when-they're-down culture.
Why Anthony Weiner Shouldn't Quit|Peter Beinart|June 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It came to a crisisevery girl jumped!when the door opened and Mr. Sharp walked in.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

Mad are the passions, as a colt untamed!When Prudence mounts their backs to ride them mild.
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various
They take their coats off anywhere and any-when, and somehow it strikes the visitor as the most symbolic thing about them.
Letters from America|Rupert Brooke
"But all that seems such a pity-when they've tried," grieved Billy.
Miss Billy's Decision|Eleanor H. Porter
"Some actor fellow once said w-when you w-went West you were c-camping out," chattered Carley.
The Call of the Canyon|Zane Grey

British Dictionary definitions for when

when

/ (wɛn) /

adverb

at what time? over what period?when is he due?
(used in indirect questions)ask him when he's due

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; afterI found it easily when I started to look seriously

althoughhe drives when he might walk

considering the fact thathow 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

Word Origin for when

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

usage for when

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with when

when

In addition to the idioms beginning with when

when all's said and done
when in Rome do as the Romans do
when it comes to
when least expected
when one's back is turned
when one's ship comes in
when pigs fly
when the cat's away, the mice will play
when the chips are down
when the dust has settled
when the going gets tough, the tough get going
when the shit hits the fan

also see:

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

when

Origin of when

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH when

Words nearby when

Words related to when

How to use when in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for when

Word Origin for when

usage for when

Other Idioms and Phrases with when