whither

American  

[hwith-er, with-] / ˈʰwɪð ər, ˈwɪð- /

adverb

1. to what place? where?

2. to what end, point, action, or the like? to what?

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conjunction

1. to which place.

2. to whatever place.

whither British  

/ ˈwɪðə /

adverb

1. to what place?

2. to what end or purpose?

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conjunction

1. to whatever place, purpose, etc

Etymology

Origin of whither

First recorded before 900; Middle English, variant of Middle English whider, hwider, hwither, Old English hwider, hwyder, alteration of hwæder (cognate with Gothic hwadrē “whither”), modeled on hider hither

Example Sentences

"I think it's almost less of a foreign policy question than it is a domestic policy question in these two countries - whither America and whither Israel?" he says.

From BBC • May 5, 2025

In the meantime, whither Bellingcat goeth, so go I. And luckily, there are still some admirable virtual meeting rooms open that provide their hosting company an excellent view of exactly nothing.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2023

“I don’t think anybody knows whither Prigozhin, whither Wagner, whither the Russian Ministry of Defense, whither any particular general, any particular commander,” Mr. Sullivan said during his talk.

From Washington Times • Jul. 21, 2023

But if April’s dryness is not yet withering, may we not ask: whither April’s celebrated showers?

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2023

“Here, ma’am. Oh, let me do something!” cried the boy, hurrying from the next room whither he had withdrawn, feeling that their first sorrow was too sacred for even his friendly eyes to see.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott