whenever
Americanconjunction
-
at whatever time; at any time when.
Come whenever you like.
-
when? (used emphatically).
Whenever did he say that?
conjunction
adverb
-
no matter when
it'll be here, whenever you decide to come for it
-
informal at an unknown or unspecified time
I'll take it if it comes today, tomorrow, or whenever
-
an intensive form of when, used in questions
whenever did he escape?
Etymology
Origin of whenever
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at when, ever
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He says he is feeling very good and is especially grateful whenever his routine scans bring one particular word: stable.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026
I like my peace whenever I'm on public transport.''
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
“You have to be hands on keyboard. And so whenever we’re building prototypes for our own products, I’m in the prototype, and I really want to see how it feels.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
They’re on TV whenever we turn on the news.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
“I’ll give her some money whenever she wants to come see you. You don’t have to give us anything for free.”
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
