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.
Several weeks later, he called and before long he was staying with Elma and her late husband George whenever he was in Scotland.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
The pride in his voice whenever he talked about them is something I will always remember with gratitude.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Explaining further, Budaghyan said that, over the last 30 years, whenever the 2-year U.S. bond yield has crossed above the federal-funds rate, as it has recently done, the Fed has hiked rates.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
The Fourth Amendment exists largely because governments predictably exploit opportunities to search broadly whenever those searches become easy.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
She entertained the horrible Babushkawoos as best she could with stories and games, and offered gentle reprimands whenever their behavior grew intolerable.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
