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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."

How to use whereby

Learner’s notes

In 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.

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Test yourself on “whereby” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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.

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