whenever
Americanconjunction
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at whatever time; at any time when.
Come whenever you like.
-
when? (used emphatically).
Whenever did he say that?
conjunction
adverb
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no matter when
it'll be here, whenever you decide to come for it
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informal at an unknown or unspecified time
I'll take it if it comes today, tomorrow, or whenever
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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.
Whenever Celenza has a leftover vegetable, his go-to is usually a frittata or a stir fry.
From Salon • Jul. 2, 2026
Whenever you can, stay in the shade, where it can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
"Whenever people talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, it almost feels like Portugal are playing in Cristiano Ronaldo's country," said Luis Aguilar, a pundit for SIC Noticias.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
Whenever a US president is on the jet, it officially takes the call sign Air Force One.
From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026
Whenever she cracked one system, more challenging ones rose to take its place—and day after day, she was forced to grapple with them alone.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
