when

I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwanne, hwenne; akin to Old High German hwanne when, Old English hwā who — more at who Date: before 12th century 1. at what time <

when will you return

> 2. a. at or during which time b. and then 3. at a former and usually less prosperous time <

brag fondly of having known him when — Vance Packard

> II. conjunction Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwanne, hwenne, from hwanne, hwenne, adverb Date: before 12th century 1. a. at or during the time that ; while <

went fishing when he was a boy

> b. just at the moment that <

stop writing when the bell rings

> c. at any or every time that <

when he listens to music, he falls asleep

> 2. in the event that ; if <

a contestant is disqualified when he disobeys the rules

> 3. a. considering that <

why use water at all when you can drown in it — Stuart Chase

> b. in spite of the fact that ; although <

quit politics when I might have had a great career in it

> 4. the time or occasion at or in which <

tomorrow is when we must decide

> <

humor is when you laugh — Earl Rovit

> III. pronoun Date: 14th century what or which time <

life-long homes for those…who have lived here since when — Kim Waller

> IV. noun Date: 1616 the time in which something is done or comes about <

troubled his head very little about the hows and whens of life — Laurence Sterne

>