where
to, at, or in what place
She lived in Rome for a couple of years, where she taught English.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
where
adverb, conjunction
1 in or to what place:
Where do you live?
I asked her where she lived.
Where is she going?
2 in which; at which:
This is the street where I live.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
where
where S1 W1 /weə $ wer/ BrE AmE adverb, conjunction, pronoun
[Language: Old English; Origin: hwær]
1. in or to which place:
Where are you going?
Where do they live?
Do you know where my glasses are?
Where would you like to sit?
where (...) to/from
Where have you come from?
‘We’re going on a long journey.’ ‘Where to?’
where to do something
They’re easy to find, if you know where to look.
where on earth/in the world etc (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc)
Where on earth have you been all this time?
2. used to talk about a particular place:
She was standing exactly where you are standing now.
Stay where you are.
This is the place where I hid the key.
In 1963 we moved to Boston, where my grandparents lived.
3. used to talk about a particular stage in a process, conversation, story etc:
The treatment will continue until the patient reaches the point where he can walk correctly and safely.
You are saying that everyone should be equal, and this is where I disagree.
Now, where were we? Oh yes, we were talking about John.
4. used to ask or talk about the origin of something or someone:
Where does the word ‘super’ come from?
Where does this man get the money to keep two houses?
I wonder where he gets these strange ideas.
5. used to say that one person, thing, opinion etc is different from another:
Where others might have been satisfied, Dawson had higher ambitions.
6. in or to any place SYN wherever:
You can sit where you like.
You’re free to go where you please.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
where
where adverb, conjunction [weə(r)] [wer]
adverb
1. in or to what place or situation
• Where do you live?
• I wonder where they will take us to.
• Where (= at what point) did I go wrong in my calculations?
• Where (= in what book, newspaper, etc.) did you read that?
• Just where (= to what situation or final argument) is all this leading us?
2. used after words or phrases that refer to a place or situation to mean ‘at, in or to which’
• It's one of the few countries where people drive on the left.
3. the place or situation in which
• We then moved to Paris, where we lived for six years.
Word Origin:
Old English hwǣr, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waar and German wo.
conjunction
(in) the place or situation in which
• This is where I live.
• Sit where I can see you.
• Where people were concerned, his threshold of boredom was low.
• That's where (= the point in the argument at which) you're wrong.
Word Origin:
[where] Old English hwǣr, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waar and German wo.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
where / weə r / / wer / adverb , conjunction
A1 to, at, or in what place:
Where does he live?
"I put it on your desk." "Where? I can't see it?"
Where are we going?
Now where did I put my glasses?
Where's the party being held?
Could you tell me where Barker Drive is please?
Where did you put my umbrella?
I've left my keys somewhere and I don't know where.
You've found my diary - where on Earth was it?
I've been meaning to ask you where you get your hair cut.
Bradford, where Bren comes from, has a lot of good curry restaurants.
She lived in Rome for a couple of years, where she taught English.
You see where Mira is standing? Well, he's behind her.
I like to have him next to me where I can keep an eye on him.
I read it somewhere - I don't know where (= in which book, newspaper, etc.) .
B2 used when referring to a particular stage in a process or activity:
You reach a point in any project where you just want to get the thing finished.
I've reached the stage where I just don't care any more.
in what situation:
You're not available on the 12th and Andrew can't make the 20th - so where does that leave us?
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
where
[(h)we͟ə(r)]
♦
(Usually pronounced [(h)weə(r)] for meanings 2 and 3.)
1) QUEST You use where to ask questions about the place something is in, or is coming from or going to.
Where did you meet him?...
Where's Anna?...
Where are we going?...
`You'll never believe where Julie and I are going.' - `Where?'
2) CONJ-SUBORD You use where after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives, to introduce a clause in which you mention the place in which something is situated or happens.
People began looking across to see where the noise was coming from...
He knew where Henry Carter had gone...
If he's got something on his mind he knows where to find me...
Ernest Brown lives about a dozen blocks from where the riots began.
PRON-REL
Where is also a relative pronoun. Conditions which apply to your flight are available at the travel agency where you book your holiday... Wanchai boasts the Academy of Performing Arts, where everything from Chinese Opera to Shakespeare is performed.
3) QUEST You use where to ask questions about a situation, a stage in something, or an aspect of something.
Where will it all end?...
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-SUBORD 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-REL
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-SUBORD You use where to introduce a clause that contrasts with the other parts of the sentence.
Where some people learned to play the accordion for dances in their community, others took music lessons...
Sometimes a teacher will be listened to, where a parent might not.
Syn:
whereas
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
where
2where conj
1 a : at or in the place that
• Please stay where you are.
• We sat down where there was some shade.
• He put the note where she could easily see it.
b : to or in what place
• He doesn't know where he is going.
• It doesn't matter to me where we eat.
- often followed by to + verb
• She didn't know where to go.
• He tells me where to shop for the best bargains.
c : the place that
• We could see the players very clearly from where we sat.
• I know where their house is.
d : that is the place in which
• The town where we live is having an arts and crafts fair.
• This is the room where the children sleep.
• The store where we shop is closing.
2 : to or in whatever place : wherever
• I can go where I want, when I want.
• People may sit where they like.
3 a
- used to refer to a particular point in a story, process, etc.
• My favorite part is toward the end of the book, where the heroine returns home.
• The town has reached the size where traffic is a problem.
• The project is at a point where the end is in sight.
b
- used to refer to a particular part of what is being discussed
• That's where you're wrong.
• Where the two candidates differ is in how to reform health care.
4 : in a situation in which
• We must be especially careful where children are concerned.
• Where most people saw a worthless investment, she saw opportunity.
1where /ˈweɚ/ adv
1 a : at or in what place
• Where are my keys?
• Where did you meet her?
• Where did you hear that?
• Where can I find books about gardening?
• Where are you from?
• I don't know where that came from.
- sometimes + at in very informal speech
• Where's the party at?
b : to what place
• Where are we going?
• Where is she taking us?
• Do you know where we're going?
- often + to
• Where are we going to?
• Where to, Miss? [=what place do you want to go to?]
2 : when or at what point
• Where does the story get interesting?
3 : how or in what way
• Where am I wrong?
• Where do the two candidates disagree on the issue?
4 : to what goal or result
• Where will this course of action lead us?
where it's at informal
1 : the best or most exciting or interesting place to be
• Los Angeles, California, is where it's at if you want to get into the film industry.
2 : a subject, field of interest, etc., that is very popular or important
• Education is where it's at in politics.
where (someone) is at informal : someone's true position, state, or nature
• I haven't quite figured out where she's at [=where she stands; what her opinions are] on that issue.
