whose

²whose

pronoun, singular or pl in constr \ˈhüz, üz\

Definition of WHOSE

: that which belongs to whom —used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective whose <tell me whose it was — Shakespeare>

Examples of WHOSE

1. Though life here is a dangerous business for olive trees, in summer the children roam the streets alone, and well into the night. Everyone knows whose are whose, and keeps an eye out. —David Leavitt, Travel & Leisure, May 2000
2. And now for the Ignorance and Folly which he reproaches us with, let us see (if we are Fools and Ignoramus's) whose is the Fault, the Men's or our's. —Benjamin Franklin, 28 May 1722 in Benjamin Franklin Writings, 1987

Origin of WHOSE

(see ¹whose)

First Known Use: 12th century