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whereabouts

adverb
where·​abouts | \ ˈhwer-ə-ˌbau̇ts How to pronounce whereabouts (audio) , ˈwer-\
variants: or less commonly whereabout \ ˈhwer-​ə-​ˌbau̇t How to pronounce whereabout (audio) , ˈwer-​ \

Definition of whereabouts

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: about where : near what place whereabouts is the house

whereabouts

conjunction
variants: or less commonly whereabout

Definition of whereabouts (Entry 2 of 3)

1 obsolete : on what business or errand
2 : near what place : where know whereabouts he lives

whereabouts

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
also whereabout

Definition of whereabouts (Entry 3 of 3)

: the place or general locality where a person or thing is their present whereabouts are a secret
Synonyms Whereabouts Is or whereabouts Are? More Example Sentences Learn More about whereabouts

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Synonyms for whereabouts

Synonyms: Adverb

where, whither

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Whereabouts Is or whereabouts Are?

Whereabouts may function as an adverb (“Whereabouts is it?”), a conjunction (“I know whereabouts he lives”), or a noun (“Her whereabouts were unknown”). The noun form may provoke confusion because it feels singular but looks plural; should one write “her whereabouts were” or "her whereabouts was”? Because the final -s is an adverbial suffix, not a plural ending (similar to the one at the end of besides), certain usage commentators have insisted on treating whereabouts as a singular noun. In spite of this, you should feel comfortable pairing it with a plural verb; while some have employed singular verbs with this word, the plural (“her whereabouts were”) has become the regular choice.

Examples of whereabouts in a Sentence

Adverb

 Whereabouts did you park the car? whereabouts do you expect to be on your journey tonight?

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

 Many of the details in the warrant pertain to the whereabouts of a 2001 Toyota Tacoma believed to have been driven by Fotis Dulos on May 24, the day Jennifer Dulos was last seen alive. Jennifer Dulos’ body has not been found. — Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, "Jennifer Dulos disappearance: Map of evidence cited in husband’s arrest," 6 Sep. 2019 People notes that 25-year-old Sharena Nancy is currently being held at the Allegheny County Jail facing charges of kidnapping of a minor, interference with the custody of children, and concealment of the whereabouts of a child in Nalani’s case. — Breanna Edwards, Essence, "Pennsylvania Toddler Allegedly Kidnapped By Uber Driver Found Dead," 4 Sep. 2019 Nancy is being held on charges of kidnapping of a minor, custodial interference and concealment of the whereabouts of a child. — Robert Gearty, Fox News, "Woman arrested in toddler's kidnapping said father ‘sold’ girl for $10G, officials say," 3 Sep. 2019 Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rodriguez is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-274-9100 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). — Michelle Iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Police searching for man charged in north Harris County shooting death," 12 Aug. 2019 Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Watkins is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "Where is Willoe Watkins? Jefferson County 20-year-old disappeared June 15," 8 July 2019 Legal observers had expected Christensen to use the whereabouts of Zhang’s remains as a bargaining chip to get federal prosecutors to abandon any push for the death penalty. — Michael Tarm, chicagotribune.com, "Killer of U. of I. student from China offered to reveal location of her body in exchange for life sentence, defense attorneys say," 26 June 2019 Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cameron Sequeira is urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888 option 5; or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111. — Chelsea Curtis, azcentral, "Sheriff's Office seeks help in case of Coconino County man missing for 9 years," 26 June 2019 The tracking of the whereabouts of certain individuals. — CBS News, "Hackers targeted telecom networks to spy on high-profile people," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whereabouts.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of whereabouts

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1605, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for whereabouts

Adverb

Middle English wheraboutes (from wher aboute + -s, adverb suffix) & wher aboute, from where, wher where + about, aboute about — more at whence

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More Definitions for whereabouts

whereabouts

adverb
How to pronounce whereabouts (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of whereabouts

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: near what place

whereabouts

noun

English Language Learners Definition of whereabouts (Entry 2 of 2)

: the location of a person or thing

See the full definition for whereabouts in the English Language Learners Dictionary

whereabouts

adverb
where·​abouts | \ ˈhwer-ə-ˌbau̇ts How to pronounce whereabouts (audio) , ˈwer-\

Kids Definition of whereabouts

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: near what place Whereabouts did you lose it?

whereabouts

noun plural

Kids Definition of whereabouts (Entry 2 of 2)

: the place where someone or something is
Hint: Whereabouts can be used as a singular or plural in writing and speaking. … she knew the whereabouts of every fallen tree and hidden gully.— John Reynolds Gardiner, Stone Fox

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