1
—used in questions to ask who owns something, has something, etc.
Whose bag is it?
I wonder whose story was chosen.
Whose side are you on anyway?
2
—used to show which person or thing you are talking about
The gentleman whose cell phone was stolen was very upset.
The prize will go to the writer whose story shows the most imagination.
the book whose cover is torn
3
—used to give more information about a person or thing that has already been mentioned
The curator, whose name I've since forgotten, put together an exceptional exhibit.
My roommate, whose sister is an actress, gets lots of requests for autographs.
: that or those belonging to a person
Whose are these? [=who is the owner of these?]
Let him know whose you will choose.
Cite this Entry
“Whose.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/whose. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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