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.
"The intelligence community is tripled down looking at this World Cup, and we'll continue to monitor it between now and whenever the final goal is scored on July 19th."
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
At Barzola, an Ecuadorean bar and restaurant, manager Alexander Herrera has turned the spacious dining room into “a center for sports,” with giant TVs lining the walls and special menus on offer whenever Ecuador plays.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
I think about that whenever a strongman tries to own what we had on those fields.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
“They both have a lot going on professionally but make time for each other during the week whenever they can,” the unnamed source added.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
Snapped and snarled whenever he’d had the chance.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
