whereabouts

American  

[hwair-uh-bouts, wair-] / ˈʰwɛər əˌbaʊts, ˈwɛər- /

adverb

1. about where? where?

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conjunction

1. near or in what place.

   trying to find whereabouts in the world we were.

noun

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) the place where a person or thing is; the locality of a person or thing.

   no clue as to his whereabouts.

whereabouts British  

/ ˈwɛərəˌbaʊts /

adverb

1. Also: whereabout.  at what approximate location or place; where

   whereabouts are you?

2. obsolete about or concerning which

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noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) the place, esp the approximate place, where a person or thing is

Etymology

Origin of whereabouts

1400–50; late Middle English wheraboutes, equivalent to Middle English wheraboute ( whereabout ) + -s -s ¹

Example Sentences

Michael Abatti’s attorneys declined to comment on his health or current whereabouts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

According to historical records, the shield was found buried upright in peat alongside six others – though the whereabouts of those remains unclear.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Since then, the mystery surrounding Khamenei’s whereabouts and well-being has only deepened.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

“Someone knows Omar Cardenas’ whereabouts and we’re encouraging anyone with information to please come forward.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

I do not have any information on her whereabouts, I don’t know what has happened to her.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins