when /ˈwɛn/adverb 7conjunction 5exclamation 2noun 1pronoun 1forms 1phrases 1 adverb7 •used to ask at what time something happensWhen will they arrive?Do you know when they arrived? •used to ask in what situation something happens, rather than at what timeWhat words are used as interrogative pronouns? — Give examples. When are the words, what, which, and that, called adj. pron.? When are they called interrogative pronominal adjectives? — 1834 •At which, on which, during which: often omitted or replaced with that.That was the day when the Twin Towers fell.Not a week goes by when I don't mourn that loss. •The time at, on or during which.I recall when they were called the Greys.Next year is when we elect a new mayor. •(informal) A circumstance or situation in which.Love is when you can't get enough of someone. •(Internet, humorous) Used after a noun or noun phrase in isolation to express impatience with an anticipated future event.The site's all bugged. Fix when?Tank class buff when? •At an earlier time and under different, usually less favorable, circumstances.He's mister high and mighty now, but I remember him when. conjunction5 •At (or as soon as) that time that; at the (or any and every) time that; if.Pavlov's dogs salivate when [i.e. at any and every time that] they hear a bell.When [i.e. at any and every time that] he speaks to her, he is always polite. •During the time that; at the time of the action of the following clause or participle phrase.They dream when [i.e. during the time that] they sleep.I'm happiest when [during the time that, or at any time that] I’m working. •Since; given the fact that; considering that.I don't see the point of putting up Christmas decorations when I am the only person who is going to see them. •Whereas; although; at the same time as; in spite of the fact that.You're picking at your scabs when you should be letting them heal.He keeps changing things when the existing system works perfectly well. •At what time; at which time.I am here till Friday, when [i.e. at which time] I leave for Senegal.I was just walking down the street, when [i.e. at which time] all of a sudden it started to rain. exclamation2 •(humorous) That's enough: a command asking someone to stop adding something, especially an ingredient or portion of food or drink; used in, or as if in, literal response to ‘Say when’.When we go out to a restaurant, we're the guys who never say "when" when the waiter is grinding fresh pepper on our salads. — 2004 •(no longer used) Expressing impatience.Why when I say?[…]Off with my boots, you rogues: you villaines, when?[…]Out you rogue[…] — 1590 noun1 •The time at which something happens.A good article will cover the who, the what, the when, the where, the why and the how. pronoun1 •What time; which time.Since when do I need your permission? formswhens Phrases with when way back whenAt a time in the distant past.
