whereas
wairr-AZ
Whereas (conj) means In contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand. Example: “She loves the city, whereas her husband prefers the countryside.”
conj
1
In contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand.
"She loves the city, whereas her husband prefers the countryside."
"Our old laptop took minutes to start, whereas the new one is ready in seconds."
"Some students prefer working alone, whereas others do better in groups."
2
Given the fact that (used to open formal statements, especially in legal documents).
"Whereas both parties agree to the terms below, this contract is signed."
"Whereas the tenant wishes to leave the property, this notice is given to the landlord."
"Whereas the company has agreed to supply the goods, the parties now enter into this agreement."
How to use whereas
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal way to draw a contrast between two facts.
When to use it
More formal than "while" or "but" — common in writing, contracts, and reports rather than casual speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- whereases
Fill the gap
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She loves the city, _____ her husband prefers the countryside.
Etymology
From "where" plus "as," first used in the 14th century to mean roughly "where," later shifting to its contrastive sense.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for whereas
See all rhymes for whereas →Frequently asked questions
What does “whereas” mean?
The word “whereas” means in contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand. In plain terms, a formal way to draw a contrast between two facts.
How do you pronounce “whereas”?
“Whereas” is pronounced wairr-AZ (/(h)wɛɹˈæz/ in IPA).
How do you use “whereas” in a sentence?
Here is “whereas” used in a sentence: “She loves the city, whereas her husband prefers the countryside.”
What part of speech is “whereas”?
“Whereas” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “whereas” come from?
The word “whereas” dates back to around 1300. From "where" plus "as," first used in the 14th century to mean roughly "where," later shifting to its contrastive sense.
Is “whereas” a common word?
“Whereas” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “whereas” have?
“Whereas” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand.
What is the difference between 'whereas' and 'while'?
Both can introduce a contrast, and often either works: 'He likes tea, whereas/while she prefers coffee.' The difference is that 'while' also refers to time ('while I slept'), so it can be ambiguous. 'Whereas' only signals contrast, which makes it clearer and more formal in that role.
Is 'whereas' formal or informal?
'Whereas' is fairly formal. It appears often in writing, arguments, comparisons, and the opening clauses of legal or official documents. In casual speech people are more likely to say 'but', 'while', or 'though'. The meaning of contrast stays the same; only the tone becomes more measured and precise.
How do you use 'whereas' in a sentence?
Use 'whereas' to join two contrasting ideas, usually with a comma before it: 'The north is wet, whereas the south is dry.' It sets one fact directly against another. You can also begin a sentence with it to highlight the contrast that follows in the second half.
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