⏰ Asking about time 🕒 The time 📅 At the time 🤔 Because

when

1 1.0

The time or date of an event

noun
/wɛn/

: momento

The best time to plant a tree is when the weather is warm.

Examples

But there comes a time when it stops working.
My brothers and I dug in and that's when my father came home.
There was a time when Christ was not.
My first role was when I was two years old.
Do you have children and when was your first born?
There are times when it comes down to fact.
I moved in with my nan on the estate when I was three.
There were months when I, I couldn't show up.
We didn't plan it when Israel was born.
That's the first time I ever cried when someone died.

Idioms

when it comes to

680 3.1

A phrase you use to talk about a topic and show how someone or something is treated

when the time comes

83 2.9

At the right moment to do something

way back when

Informal

22 7.3

A long time ago

when in doubt

Informal

5 4.5

If you are not sure, follow safe advice or ask someone

when the chips are down

Informal

3 7.4

When things become very difficult and you must act

to kick someone when they are down

Informal

1 6.9

To treat someone badly when they already have problems

never knows when to quit

Informal

1 7.8

Keeps trying and does not stop even when it would be wiser to give up

to cross that bridge when it comes

Informal

5.8

To deal with a problem only when it happens, not before

look at the mantelpiece when poking the fire

9.9

To pay attention to something unimportant instead of the main task

to hit him when he's down

Informal

8.2

Say mean things to someone when they are already in trouble

to strike someone when they are down

Informal

8.4

To criticize or take advantage of someone when they are weak

when they go low, we go high

Informal

9.3

Act with dignity and good behavior when others act mean or unfair

when in Rome

Informal

6.8

Act like local people when you visit a place

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

Informal

7.6

Follow how people behave where you are

when nature calls

Informal

8.2

To need to go to the toilet

when silence falls

7.5

At the time a place becomes quiet, often in the evening

to zig when he should zag

Informal

9.9

To make the wrong choice when a different action is needed

to zig when someone should zag

Informal

9.9

To do the wrong thing when a different action is needed

Surface Forms

when singular

whens plural

Etymology

When as a noun comes from the same old question word meaning 'at what time', so the when of something is simply the time or occasion it happens.