Adjacent Words

When definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

WHEN, adv. [G., L.]
1. At the time. We were present when General LaFayette embarked at Havre for New York.
2. At what time, interrogatively.
When shall these things be? Matthew 24.
3. Which time.
I was adopted heir by his consent; since when, his oath is broke.
4. After the time that. When the act is passed, the public will be satisfied.
5. At what time.
Kings may take their advantage, when and how they list.
When as, at the time when; what time.
When as sacred light began to dawn.

Merriam Webster's

I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwanne, hwenne; akin to Old High German hwanne when, Old English hw? who — more at who Date: before 12th century 1. at what time <when will you return> 2. a. at or during which time b. and then 3. at a former and usually less prosperous time <brag fondly of having known him when — Vance Packard> II. conjunction Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwanne, hwenne, from hwanne, hwenne, adverb Date: before 12th century 1. a. at or during the time that ; while <went fishing when he was a boy> b. just at the moment that <stop writing when the bell rings> c. at any or every time that <when he listens to music, he falls asleep> 2. in the event that ; if <a contestant is disqualified when he disobeys the rules> 3. a. considering that <why use water at all when you can drown in it — Stuart Chase> b. in spite of the fact that ; although <quit politics when I might have had a great career in it> 4. the time or occasion at or in which <tomorrow is when we must decide> <humor is when you laugh — Earl Rovit> III. pronoun Date: 14th century what or which time <life-long homes for those…who have lived here since when — Kim Waller> IV. noun Date: 1616 the time in which something is done or comes about <troubled his head very little about the hows and whens of life — Laurence Sterne>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adv., conj., pron., & n. --interrog.adv. 1 at what time? 2 on what occasion? 3 how soon? 4 how long ago? --rel.adv. (prec. by time etc.) at or on which (there are times when I could cry). --conj. 1 at the or any time that; as soon as (come when you like; come when ready; when I was your age). 2 although; considering that (why stand up when you could sit down?). 3 after which; and then; but just then (was nearly asleep when the bell rang). --pron. what time? (till when can you stay?; since when it has been better). --n. time, occasion, date (fixed the where and when). Etymology: OE hwanne, hwenne

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

When When, adv. [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS. hw[ae]nne, hwanne, hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG. wanne, G. wann when, wenn if, when, Goth. hwan when, and to E. who. ????. See Who.] 1. At what time; -- used interrogatively. When shall these things be? --Matt. xxiv. 3. Note: See the Note under What, pron., 1. 2. At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or just after, the moment that; -- used relatively. Kings may Take their advantage when and how they list. --Daniel. Book lore ne'er served, when trial came, Nor gifts, when faith was dead. --J. H. Newman. 3. While; whereas; although; -- used in the manner of a conjunction to introduce a dependent adverbial sentence or clause, having a causal, conditional, or adversative relation to the principal proposition; as, he chose to turn highwayman when he might have continued an honest man; he removed the tree when it was the best in the grounds. 4. Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun. I was adopted heir by his consent; Since when, his oath is broke. --Shak. Note: When was formerly used as an exclamation of surprise or impatience, like what! Come hither; mend my ruff: Here, when! thou art such a tedious lady! --J. Webster. When as, When that, at the time that; when. [Obs.] When as sacred light began to dawn. --Milton. When that mine eye is famished for a look. --Shak.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You use when to ask questions about the time at which things happen. When are you going home?... When is the press conference?... When were you in this house last?... 'I'll be there this afternoon.'—'When?' QUEST 2. If something happens when something else is happening, the two things are happening at the same time. When eating a whole cooked fish, you should never turn it over to get at the flesh on the other side... Mustard is grown in the field when weeds are there, rather than when the growing crops are there. CONJ 3. You use when to introduce a clause in which you mention something which happens at some point during an activity, event, or situation. When I met the Gills, I had been gardening for nearly ten years. CONJ 4. You use when to introduce a clause where you mention the circumstances under which the event in the main clause happened or will happen. When he brought Imelda her drink she gave him a genuine, sweet smile of thanks... I'll start to think about it when I have to write my report. CONJ 5. You use when after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause where you mention the time at which something happens. I asked him when he'd be back to pick me up... I don't know when the decision was made... CONJ 6. You use when to introduce a clause which specifies or refers to the time at which something happens. He could remember a time when he had worked like that himself... In 1973, when he lived in Rome, his sixteen-year-old son was kidnapped. PRON 7. You use when to introduce the reason for an opinion, comment, or question. How can I love myself when I look like this?... CONJ 8. You use when in order to introduce a fact or comment which makes the other part of the sentence rather surprising or unlikely. Our mothers sat us down to read and paint, when all we really wanted to do was to make a mess... = although CONJ

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

ad. 1. At the time, at the time that. 2. Whenever, at what time. 3. While, whereas. 4. Which time, then.

Moby Thesaurus

after all, again, albeit, all the same, although, anon, as far as, as long as, at all events, at any rate, at what time, at which, at which time, but, during which time, even, even so, for all that, howbeit, however, in any case, in any event, in what period, in which time, just the same, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on what occasion, on which occasion, rather, still, the while, though, upon which, what time, when as, whenever, whereas, whereupon, while, whilst, yet