WHEN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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when

[hwen, wen, hwuhn, wuhn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

when

/ ��ɛ�� /

adverb

1. at what time? over what period?
  when is he due?
2. ( used in indirect questions )
  ask him when he's due
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; after
I found it easily when I started to look seriously
although
he drives when he might walk
considering the fact that
how 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

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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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of when¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English when(ne), Old English hwenne; cognate with German wann “w��,” wenn “if, when” (compare Gothic hwan “when, how”); akin to who, what

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of when¹

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

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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idioms beginning with when, also see cross a bridge when one comes to it; push comes to shove, when.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Each of the homeowners had policies with State Farm, and some were underinsured by more than $2 million when their homes were completely destroyed by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

From

She concluded her post by urging followers to listen to their bodies and seek medical attention when something feels off.

From

“I was only 19 when I moved to the US, like many other Colombian immigrants who come to this country looking for a better future,” she said.

From

There were no arrests on Sunday, when it was remarkably quiet downtown in the afternoon compared with the previous week.

From

Since June 6, when immigration agents launched a campaign in Los Angeles to find and capture unauthorized workers at job sites, churches, schools and wherever else they could find them, tension across the city has been palpable.

From

whelping ice when all's said and done

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