American Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition which in American English

which determiner, pronoun

determiner, pronoun
/wɪtʃ/

Which can be used in the following ways:

as a determiner (followed by a noun): Which color do you like best?

as a pronoun (without a following noun): Choose any card – it doesn’t matter which. (introducing a question): Which is the hottest month of the year? (followed by “of”): Which of you is responsible for this department? (introducing a relative clause): My car, which I have owned for five years, is a Ford.

The relative pronouns which or that are often left out when they are the object in this type of relative clause: Did you find the book (which/that) you were looking for?

Example

Which would you like, tea or coffee?

Example

Which way did they go?

Example

Which of the secretaries did you talk to?

Synonyms and related words
1.1

used when someone knows, says, is not certain about, etc. the specific choice between two or more possibilities

Example

They're all so pretty - I don't know which one to choose.

Example

It was either whiskey or vodka - I forget which.

Example

Did he say which hotel he was staying at?

Example

I don't know which is worse - spending Christmas alone or watching my friends get drunk.

2

used for adding information or a comment about a particular thing or fact when it is already clear what that thing or fact is

Example

Bogart starred in the film Casablanca, which was made in 1942.

Example

A skilled workforce is essential, which is why our training program is so important.

Example

The search will not begin until dawn, by which time it will probably be too late.

Example

Of course it may rain, in which case we'll have to hold the ceremony indoors.

Synonyms and related words
3

used for introducing information that shows what specific thing or type of thing you are talking about. You can also use "that" to introduce this type of relative clause, except when the pronoun is preceded by a preposition.

Example

I've been thinking about those questions which you asked me last week.

Example

It's a story which every child will enjoy.

Example

the air crash in which Hammarskjöld died

Synonyms and related words
Definition which in American English