which
What is another word for which? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.
Det — Used to ask someone to specify one or more people or things from a known set.
We haven't recorded synonyms for which yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
Etymology
From Old English hwelc, literally "of what kind" — built from the same root as "who" and "what".
Full origin of which →Frequently asked questions
What does “which” mean?
The word “which” means used to ask someone to specify one or more people or things from a known set. In plain terms, a word for picking out one option from a group, or for adding extra detail about something already named.
How do you pronounce “which”?
“Which” is pronounced wihch (/wɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “which” in a sentence?
Here is “which” used in a sentence: “Which coat is yours, the black one or the grey one?”
What part of speech is “which”?
Depending on how it is used, “which” can be a det and a pronoun.
Where does the word “which” come from?
The word “which” comes from Old English. From Old English hwelc, literally "of what kind" — built from the same root as "who" and "what".
Is “which” a common word?
“Which” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “which” have?
“Which” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to ask someone to specify one or more people or things from a known set.
What is the difference between which and that?
In American English, "that" introduces essential (restrictive) information ("the report that I wrote"), while "which" introduces extra, non-essential information set off by commas ("the report, which took weeks, was approved"). British English uses "which" more freely for both, but the comma rule for non-essential clauses applies everywhere.
Do you need a comma before which?
Use a comma when "which" adds extra information the sentence could survive without ("the car, which was red, sped off"). No comma is needed when "which" asks a question ("which one is yours?") or when the clause is essential to identifying the noun.
What is the difference between which and what in questions?
Use "which" when choosing from a known or limited set ("which of these three do you want?") and "what" when the options are open-ended ("what do you want for dinner?"). The boundary is soft, but "which" always implies the speaker has a specific set of options in mind.
Can which refer to people?
In modern English, "who" refers to people and "which" to things ("the man who called," "the book which I read"). "Which" can, however, apply to people when selecting one from a set, as in "which of the candidates won?"
