Definition of which pronoun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

which

pronoun, determiner

/wɪtʃ/

used in questions to ask somebody to be exact about one or more people or things from a limited number
- Which is better exercise—swimming or tennis?
- Which way is the wind blowing?
Use a singular verb after which if only one person or thing is meant; use a plural verb if it is more than one: Which of the applicants has got the job? (= Although there was more than one applicant, I know that only one has got the job.) • Which of the patients have recovered? (= It is possible that more than one patient has recovered.) compare what
Homophones which | witch
which witch

/wɪtʃ/

/wɪtʃ/
- which pronoun
  Which would you prefer—chocolate cake or carrot cake?
- which determiner
  Which car is yours?
- witch noun
  He was turned into a rat by a wicked witch.
used to be exact about the thing or things that you mean
- Houses which overlook the lake cost more.
- It was a crisis for which she was totally unprepared.
That can be used instead of which in this meaning, but it is not used immediately after a preposition. It was a crisis that she was totally unprepared for. • It was a crisis for that she was totally unprepared.
used to give more information about something
- His best movie, which won several awards, was about the life of Gandhi.
- Your claim ought to succeed, in which case the damages will be substantial.
That cannot be used instead of which in this meaning.

Word OriginOld English hwilc, from the Germanic bases of who and alike.

Idioms

which is which

used to talk about recognizing the difference between one person or thing and another
- The twins are so alike I can't tell which is which.

See which in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee which in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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