which Meaning & Definition
What Does Which Mean?
Which is used as a determiner meaning What, of those mentioned or implied. It can also mean The/Any ... that; whichever. As a pronoun, it means What one or ones (of those mentioned or implied). As a conjunction, it means Introduces an anacoluthon, often commentary on the preceding statement.
Which Definition (Determiner)
- What, of those mentioned or implied.
Which song shall we play?
- The/Any ... that; whichever.
Take which one you want.
- Designates the one(s) previously mentioned.
He once owned a painting of the house, which painting would later be stolen.
Which as a Pronoun
- What one or ones (of those mentioned or implied).
Which is which?
- The/Any ones that; whichever.
Please take which you please.
- In a non-restrictive relative clause, referring to something previously mentioned.
Referring to a preceding noun.
I dropped a saucepan, which knocked over the eggs, which went all over the kitchen floor.
- Referring to a preceding noun.
I dropped a saucepan, which knocked over the eggs, which went all over the kitchen floor.
- Used of people (now generally who, whom, that; which remains possible with words also referred to by it such as baby, child).
She had a young child, which cried incessantly.
- Referring to a preceding statement.
The front door was open, which concerned me.
- In a restrictive relative clause, referring to a noun previously mentioned.
This is the letter which I received.
- Used of people.
Which as a Conjunction
- Introduces an anacoluthon, often commentary on the preceding statement.
- And; but.
They only offered me five dollars, which I wouldn’t do it for less than fifteen.
Pronoun
- (interrogative) What one or ones (of those mentioned or implied).
By now, you must surely know which is which.
- (relative) Introduces a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned.
He had to leave, which was very difficult.
- (relative) Used of people (now generally who, whom or that).
Synonyms of Which
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Which synonyms and antonyms →Which in a Sentence
Which song shall we play?
They couldn't decide which song to play.
Which one is bigger?
Show me which one is bigger.
Take which one you want.
You may go which way you please.
He once owned a painting of the house, which painting would later be stolen.
She only speaks Chinese, which language I can hardly follow.
For several seconds he sat in silence, during which time the tea and sandwiches arrived.
I'm thinking of getting a new car, in which case I'd get a red one.
The debt was issued in the name of our company, liability of payment for which will be transferred to a third party.
Which is which?
By now, you must surely know which is which.
Which is bigger, the red one or the blue one?
I'm unable to determine which is bigger.
Which's your spouse? -The one in trousers.
Please take which you please.
I dropped a saucepan, which knocked over the eggs, which went all over the kitchen floor.
I found my camera, which I thought I'd lost, under the bed.
I entered the room, at the far end of which was a small table.
I am enclosing an application form, which I should be grateful if you'd sign and return.
She had a young child, which cried incessantly.
The front door was open, which concerned me.
He had to leave, which was very difficult.
She saved my life, for which I am eternally grateful.
You were late, which was bad, but what's worse, you haven't even apologized yet.
This is the letter which I received.
This is the letter in which he explains his decision.
They only offered me five dollars, which I wouldn’t do it for less than fifteen.
Word Forms & Grammar
which
Words That Rhyme With Which
Origin of Which
Origin 1: From Middle English which, hwic, wilche, hwilch, whilk, hwilc, from Old English hwelċ (“which”), from Proto-Germanic *hwilīkaz (“what kind”, literally “like what”), derived from *hwaz.
Origin 2: Cognates include Scots whilk (“which”), West Frisian hokker (“which”), Dutch welk (“which”), Low German welk (“which”), German welcher (“which”), Danish hvilken (“which”), Swedish vilken (“which”), Norwegian hvilken (“which”), Icelandic hvílíkur (“which”).