Whereby

Definition

"Whereby" is a formal term used to indicate the means or process by which something happens or is achieved.

Parts of Speech

• Conjunction
• Adverb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈwɛrˌbaɪ/
• Respelling: WHER-by

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈwɛəˌbaɪ/
• Respelling: WHER-by

In both American and British English, "whereby" is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable. The main difference lies in the vowel sound of the first syllable; the American pronunciation uses a short "e" sound as in "bed," while the British pronunciation uses a slightly longer vowel sound, closer to "air." The second syllable "by" is pronounced the same in both accents, similar to the word "buy."

Etymology

The term "whereby" is a compound of the Middle English words "where", meaning "at or in which place", and "by", meaning "by means of". Over time, these words combined to form "whereby", which indicates the means or method by which something is achieved.

Derivatives

• Whereby clause
• Where
• Wherein
• Whereupon
• Wherefore

Synonyms

• By which
• Through which
• By means of which

Antonyms

• None
• None
• None

Usage

"Whereby" is commonly used in formal, legal, or academic contexts to describe the means, process, or method by which something occurs or is achieved.

Related Terms

• Wherewith
• Whereto
• Whereabouts
• Whence
• Therefore

Detailed Definition

Conjunction

• By or through which.‍
• Example: He proposed a solution whereby the issue could be resolved swiftly.

Adverb

• By what means or method.‍
• Example: They established a new system, whereby all employees must clock in.