whence

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/wens/
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From what place or source.
Practice using whence in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The river vanished into the hills, whence it had emerged.
  • No one knew whence the rumor had come.
  • The account traces the funds to the bank whence they originated.
  • The letter was sent back whence it came.
  • They returned whence they had started.

Similar words

from where

Meanings

From where

adverb
direction
formal
From the place or source just mentioned, or from what place or source.

Examples

  • The letter was sent back whence it came.
  • They returned whence they had started.
  • No one knew whence the rumor had come.
  • The river vanished into the hills, whence it had emerged.
  • The account traces the funds to the bank whence they originated.

Similar words

from where

Etymology

From Old English hwanon, an adverb meaning from what place.

FAQ

What does whence mean?

Whence means from where or from what source.

When is whence used?

It appears mainly in formal or literary writing.

How does whence differ from where?

Where names a location, while whence includes movement or origin from it.

How is whence used in a sentence?

The letter was sent back whence it came.

Is whence formal?

Yes. Whence is formal, but it is still used.

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