whence

[wɛns]

whence Definition

• 1. from what place or source
• 2. from which

Using whence: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "whence" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  Whence did you come?

• Example

  I know not whence he came.

• Example

  Whence comest thou, my friend?

whence Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for whence

• wherefrom
• from where
• from what place

Phrases with whence

• from whence

  an unnecessary redundancy, as 'whence' already means 'from what place/source'

  Example

  The phrase 'from whence' is considered incorrect by some language experts.

• whence and whither

  the beginning and end points of a journey or process

  Example

  We must consider both the whence and the whither of this project before proceeding.

• from whence it came

  referring to the origin of something

  Example

  This antique vase has been passed down for generations, and we know not from whence it came.

Origins of whence

from Old English 'hwanne', meaning 'when' and 'hwænne', meaning 'from what time'

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Summary: whence in Brief

'Whence' [wɛns] is an adverb that means 'from what place or source' or 'from which'. It is used to ask about the origin of something or someone, as in 'Whence did you come?' The phrase 'from whence' is considered redundant. 'Whence and whither' refers to the beginning and end points of a journey or process.