Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

3 ADV You use where to ask questions about a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something. □  If they get their way, where will it stop? □  It's not so simple. They'll have to let the draft board know, and then where will we be?

4 CONJ You use where after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause in which you mention a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something. □  It's not hard to see where she got her feelings about herself. □  She had a feeling she already knew where this conversation was going to lead. □  I didn't know where to start. ● PRON Where is also a relative pronoun. □  …that delicate situation where a friend's confidence can easily be betrayed. □  The government is at a stage where it is willing to talk to almost anyone.

5 CONJ You use where to introduce a clause that contrasts with the other parts of the sentence. □  Sometimes a teacher will be listened to, where a parent might not.

where|abouts Pronounced / ^h weə rəbaʊts/ for meaning 1 , and / ^h weə rəbaʊ ts/ for meaning 2 . 1 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, with poss] If you refer to the whereabouts of a particular person or thing, you mean the place where that person or thing may be found. □ [+ of ] The police are anxious to hear from anyone who may know the whereabouts of the firearms.

2 ADV You use whereabouts , usually in questions, when you are asking or talking about where something or someone is exactly. □ [+ in ] Whereabouts in Liverpool are you from? □  'I actually live near Chester.'—'Whereabouts?' □  I spoke with him three days ago but I don't know whereabouts he is.

where|as ◆◇◇ / ^h weəræ z/ CONJ You use whereas to introduce a comment which contrasts with what is said in the main clause. □  Pensions are linked to inflation, whereas they should be linked to the cost of living.

where|by / ^h weə ^r ba I / PRON A system or action whereby something happens is one that makes that thing happen. [FORMAL ] □  …the system whereby Britons choose their family doctors and the government pays those doctors. □  They voted to accept a deal whereby the union will receive nearly three-quarters of a million pounds from the International Miners Organisation.

where|fores / ^h weə ^r fɔː ^r z/ PHRASE The whys and wherefores of something are the reasons for it. □  Even successful bosses need to be queried about the whys and wherefores of their actions.

where|in / ^h weər I n/

1 PRON Wherein means in which place or thing. [FORMAL , LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED ] □  …a riding school wherein we could learn the art of horsemanship.

2 ADV Wherein means in which part or respect. [FORMAL ] □  Wherein lies the truth?

where|upon / ^h weə rəpɒ n/ CONJ You use whereupon to say that one thing happens immediately after another thing, and usually as a result of it. [FORMAL ] □  Mr Muite refused to talk to them except in the company of his legal colleagues, whereupon the police officers departed.

wher|ever / ^h weəre və ^r /

1 CONJ You use wherever to indicate that something happens or is true in any place or situation. □  Some people enjoy themselves wherever they are. □  Jack believed in finding happiness wherever possible.

2 CONJ You use wherever when you indicate that you do not know where a person or place is. □  I'd like to leave as soon as possible and join my children, wherever they are.