# whereabouts

/ˈhwɛɹəˌbaʊts/ (US) · /wˈeəɹɐbˌaʊts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whereabouts
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. current location

noun · CEFR B2

the place where someone or something is at a particular time.

For teachers: the location or vicinity of a person or object. Usually functions as a plural-only noun, though it often takes a singular verb in informal usage.

- The police are still trying to determine the suspect's whereabouts after the robbery.
- Despite an extensive search of the coastal region, the exact whereabouts of the missing vessel remained a mystery to the investigators.

Usage: Usually plural in form but can be followed by a singular or plural verb.

### 2. anti-doping data

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

information that professional athletes must give to officials so they can be found for drug tests.

For teachers: the specific schedule and location data provided by elite athletes to anti-doping agencies to facilitate unannounced out-of-competition testing.

- The cyclist was suspended for three months after failing to update his whereabouts on the app.
- The anti-doping agency issued a formal warning to the sprinter following her third whereabouts failure within a twelve-month period.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'whereabouts failure' or 'whereabouts requirements'.

### 3. asking where

adverb · CEFR B2

in or near what place.

For teachers: at or near what location; used as an interrogative to seek a more specific area than 'where'.

- Whereabouts did you leave the car parked?
- Whereabouts in the city is the new office located, and is it accessible by public transport?

Teaching tip: This is more specific than 'where'; it implies the speaker wants to know the general area or vicinity.

## Examples

- No one knows the whereabouts of the missing cat.
- Police are trying to find the whereabouts of the suspect.
- The detective spent weeks tracing the whereabouts of the stolen jewels across three different countries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.