whereabouts

where·abouts | \ ˈ(h)wer-ə-ˌbau̇ts

How to pronounce whereabouts (audio)

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variants: or less commonly whereabout \ ˈ(h)wer-ə-ˌbau̇t

How to pronounce whereabout (audio)

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Definition of whereabouts

(Entry 1 of 3)

: about where : near what place whereabouts is the house

whereabouts

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

also whereabout

Definition of whereabouts (Entry 2 of 3)

: the place or general locality where a person or thing is their present whereabouts are a secret

whereabouts

variants: or less commonly whereabout

Definition of whereabouts (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : near what place : where know whereabouts he lives

2 obsolete : on what business or errand

Synonyms Whereabouts Is or whereabouts Are? More Example Sentences Learn More about whereabouts

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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 Anyone with information on Cailie’s whereabouts was asked to call the Silverhill Police Department at 251-947-4010 or call 911. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, "Baldwin County authorities searching for girl, 16, missing since Sunday," 1 July 2020 Anyone with information on Williams' whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Jess Hamblin at 859-292-2375. — Segann March, The Enquirer, "Covington Police: Suspect at-large after woman shot during an 'altercation,' hospitalized," 1 July 2020 Esmaili claimed that Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi Majd disclosed the whereabouts of Soleimani to US intelligence officials. — Nada Altaher And Tara John, CNN, "Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump over drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani," 29 June 2020 This post will be updated if more information about Anthony’s whereabouts is provided Sunday. — Jane Morice | Jmorice@cleveland.com, cleveland, "Cleveland police seek public’s help to find 14-year-old boy," 28 June 2020 Police encourage anyone who knows Kemp's whereabouts to contact MetroSafe at 502-574-7111 or the anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD. — Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, "Female victim killed in shooting on Dixie Highway, Louisville police say," 26 June 2020 Anyone with information about Linda’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the East Lampeter Township Police Department at 717-291-4676 or to submit a tip on the Crime Watch website. — Andrea Cavallier, NBC News, "Authorities, volunteers search for missing Amish woman who failed to return home after attending church service on Sunday in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," 23 June 2020 Anyone with information about the children’s whereabouts may contact police at 817-392-4222. — Tom Steele, Dallas News, "Young siblings last seen leaving their Fort Worth home together are found safe," 23 June 2020 Anyone who may know of Cross' whereabouts is encouraged to contact investigators at (513) 785-1309. — Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Sheriff: Third suspect in Liberty Township homicide remains at-large," 12 June 2020

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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Learn More about whereabouts

Dictionary Entries near whereabouts

when you're hot, you're hot

when you come (right) down to it

Statistics for whereabouts

Cite this Entry

“Whereabouts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whereabouts. Accessed 10 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for whereabouts

whereabouts

adverb

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

where·abouts | \ ˈhwer-ə-ˌbau̇ts

, 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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