adv
Common
whereby
weh-uh-BEYE
Whereby (adv) means By which; through which. Example: “They set up a system whereby members vote online.”
adv
1
By which; through which.
"They set up a system whereby members vote online."
"There is a rule whereby all visitors must sign in at reception."
"The school has a scheme whereby older pupils help the younger ones read."
How to use whereby
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word meaning "by which" or "through which."
When to use it
Common in formal, legal, or official writing rather than everyday conversation.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like whereby.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They set up a system _____ members vote online.
Etymology
From "where" plus "by."
Rhymes for whereby
See all rhymes for whereby →Frequently asked questions
What does “whereby” mean?
The word “whereby” means by which; through which. In plain terms, a formal word meaning "by which" or "through which.".
How do you pronounce “whereby”?
“Whereby” is pronounced weh-uh-BEYE (/wɛə(ɹ)ˈbaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “whereby” in a sentence?
Here is “whereby” used in a sentence: “They set up a system whereby members vote online.”
What part of speech is “whereby”?
“Whereby” is an adverb.
Is “whereby” a common word?
“Whereby” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How is whereby used in a sentence grammatically?
Whereby is an adverb meaning "by which" or "through which," typically used to introduce a clause explaining the means or method by which something happens, as in "a system whereby applicants are ranked."
Is whereby formal or informal?
Whereby is generally considered formal and is most common in legal, academic, or official writing rather than everyday conversation.
What is the difference between whereby and wherein?
Whereby means "by which" and refers to the method or means through which something happens, while wherein means "in which" and refers to the context or place within which something occurs.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include whereby:
