whereabouts

adverb

Save Word

where·abouts | \ ˈ(h)wer-ə-ˌbau̇ts

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

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

conjunction

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

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for whereabouts

Synonyms: Adverb

where,
whither

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 Bynum said investigators don’t believe foul play was involved in the woman’s death but are searching for information on her whereabouts in the three weeks leading up to discovery of her body. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 9 June 2021 Police are asking the public to come forward with information on her whereabouts and released a photo of her and her vehicle's license plate. — Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 8 June 2021 Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the the Elgin Police Department by calling 847-289-2660 or sending a text to 847411, which can be anonymous. — Courier-news Staff Report, chicagotribune.com, 27 May 2021 Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 513-569-8600. — Brook Endale, The Enquirer, 19 May 2021 For two months, the military gave Wai Hnin Pwint Thon’s family no information on his whereabouts. — Victoria Milko And Kristen Gelineau, USA TODAY, 8 May 2021 Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Upper Darby Police Department at 610-734-7677. — Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2021 Prince Hamzah himself was in his palace on Tuesday, with restricted access to communication, according to a person briefed on his whereabouts. — New York Times, 6 Apr. 2021 Investigators are asking anyone who knows the identity of the shooter or has information on his whereabouts to contact Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-8477 or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. — Wayne K. Roustan, sun-sentinel.com, 18 Feb. 2021

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.

Keep scrolling for more

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 19 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

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

adverb

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