adv
Uncommon
whereabouts
weh-uh-ruh-BOWTS
Whereabouts (adv) means Near or in what location. Example: “Whereabouts in London do you live?”
adv
1
Near or in what location.
"Whereabouts in London do you live?"
noun
1
The general location of someone or something.
"Mr. Zerón’s exact whereabouts is not known and he could not be reached for comment."
— Ronen Bergman and Oscar Lopez, Former Official Wanted by Mexico Takes Refuge in Israel (2021)
"The suspect's whereabouts are unknown."
"Further clues are provided by milk-floats bearing the legend 'Lord Rayleigh's Dairies: A Family Business', and a number of signs indicating the whereabouts of various departments of Lord Rayleigh's Farms."
— AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd (1980)
How to use whereabouts
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person or thing's general location.
Common pairings
unknown whereabouts
ask about someone's whereabouts
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Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ in London do you live?
Etymology
From Middle English wheraboutes, built from "whereabout" plus the adverbial "-s" ending.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for whereabouts
See all rhymes for whereabouts →Frequently asked questions
What does “whereabouts” mean?
The word “whereabouts” means near or in what location. In plain terms, a person or thing's general location.
How do you pronounce “whereabouts”?
“Whereabouts” is pronounced weh-uh-ruh-BOWTS (/ˌ(h)wɛəɹəˈbaʊts/ in IPA).
How do you use “whereabouts” in a sentence?
Here is “whereabouts” used in a sentence: “Whereabouts in London do you live?”
What part of speech is “whereabouts”?
Depending on how it is used, “whereabouts” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “whereabouts” come from?
The word “whereabouts” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wheraboutes, built from "whereabout" plus the adverbial "-s" ending.
Is “whereabouts” a common word?
“Whereabouts” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “whereabouts” have?
“Whereabouts” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: near or in what location.
What is the difference between whereabouts and location?
Whereabouts usually refers to the general or approximate location of a person or thing, often when the exact spot is unknown, whereas location can be precise or general. "Whereabouts unknown" is a common phrase implying someone's specific position hasn't been determined.
Is whereabouts singular or plural?
As a noun, whereabouts is typically treated as a collective term for someone's general location and is often used with a singular or plural verb interchangeably in everyday speech, though many style guides prefer singular agreement.
How is whereabouts used as an adverb?
As an adverb, whereabouts means "near or in what location," as in "Whereabouts do you live?" This usage asks for a general area rather than an exact address.
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