who
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for who, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Pron — Used to ask about the identity of a person or people.
We haven't recorded synonyms for who yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
Etymology
From Old English hwā, part of the same ancient family of question-words as what, when, and where, going back to a shared Proto-Indo-European root.
Full origin of who →Frequently asked questions
What does “who” mean?
The word “who” means used to ask about the identity of a person or people. In plain terms, a question word or connector used to ask about, or refer back to, a specific person.
How do you pronounce “who”?
“Who” is pronounced hoo ([hu(ː)] in IPA).
How do you use “who” in a sentence?
Here is “who” used in a sentence: “Who left the door open?”
What part of speech is “who”?
“Who” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “who” come from?
The word “who” comes from Old English. From Old English hwā, part of the same ancient family of question-words as what, when, and where, going back to a shared Proto-Indo-European root.
Is “who” a common word?
“Who” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “who” have?
“Who” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to ask about the identity of a person or people.
What is the difference between "who" and "whom"?
"Who" is the subject form ("Who called?") and "whom" is the object form ("Whom did you call?"). A quick test: if the answer would be "he," use "who"; if it would be "him," use "whom." In everyday English "who" now commonly does both jobs, with "whom" surviving mainly in formal writing and after prepositions ("to whom").
What is the difference between "who's" and "whose"?
"Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has" ("Who's coming?"), while "whose" shows possession ("Whose coat is this?"). If you can expand the word to "who is," the spelling you need is "who's".
Can "who" be used for animals or things?
"Who" is used for people, and often for animals regarded as individuals, such as named pets ("our dog, who loves the beach"). For objects and organisations, standard English uses "which" or "that" instead.
Is it "the person who" or "the person that"?
Both are grammatically acceptable — "that" has long been used for people. Many style guides nevertheless prefer "who" for people because it sounds more natural and personal: "the person who called".