I. ˈhwen, ˈwen, (h)wən adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwanne, hwenne; akin to Old High German hwanne when, Old English hwā who — more at who
Date: before 12th century
1. : at what time
when will you return
2.
a. : at or during which time
b. : and then
3. : at a former and usually less prosperous time
brag fondly of having known him when — Vance Packard
II. conjunction
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwanne, hwenne, from hwanne, hwenne, adverb
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : at or during the time that : while
went fishing when he was a boy
b. : just at the moment that
stop writing when the bell rings
c. : at any or every time that
when he listens to music, he falls asleep
2. : in the event that : if
a contestant is disqualified when he disobeys the rules
3.
a. : considering that
why use water at all when you can drown in it — Stuart Chase
b. : in spite of the fact that : although
quit politics when I might have had a great career in it
4. : the time or occasion at or in which
tomorrow is when we must decide
humor is when you laugh — Earl Rovit
III. ˈhwen, ˈwen pronoun
Date: 14th century
: what or which time
life-long homes for those…who have lived here since when — Kim Waller
IV. noun
Date: 1616
: the time in which something is done or comes about
troubled his head very little about the hows and when s of life — Laurence Sterne