adv
Uncommon
whence
ehns
Whence (adv) means From what place, source, or cause; from where. Example: “He returned to the village whence he came.”
adv
1
From what place, source, or cause; from where.
"That envy whence comes hate."
""Pork" comes from French, whence we get most of our modern cooking terms."
"They swore all the gold should go back Deep into the earth whence it came."
— Robert Frost, The Vindictives (1936)
"He returned to the village whence he came."
How to use whence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, old-fashioned way of saying "from where."
When to use it
Literary or archaic — rarely used in everyday speech; saying "from whence" is technically redundant since "whence" already means "from where," though this is common.
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He returned to the village _____ he came.
Etymology
From Old English hwanon, related to "when," with an old adverbial ending added.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for whence
See all rhymes for whence →Frequently asked questions
What does “whence” mean?
The word “whence” means from what place, source, or cause; from where. In plain terms, a formal, old-fashioned way of saying "from where.".
How do you pronounce “whence”?
“Whence” is pronounced ehns (/ʍɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “whence” in a sentence?
Here is “whence” used in a sentence: “He returned to the village whence he came.”
What is the opposite of “whence”?
The opposite of “whence” — its antonyms — is whither.
What part of speech is “whence”?
“Whence” is an adverb.
Where does the word “whence” come from?
The word “whence” comes from Old English. From Old English hwanon, related to "when," with an old adverbial ending added.
Is “whence” a common word?
“Whence” is an uncommon word in modern English.
