whoever

American  

[hoo-ev-er] / huˈɛv ər /

pronoun

1. whatever person; anyone that.

   Whoever did it should be proud. Ask whoever is there. Tell it to whomever you like.

2. no matter who.

   I won't do it, whoever asks.

3. who? what person? (used to express astonishment, disbelief, disdain, etc.).

   Whoever is that? Whoever told you such a thing?

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whoever British  

/ huːˈɛvə /

pronoun

1. any person who; anyone that

   whoever wants it can have it

2. no matter who

   I'll come round tomorrow, whoever may be here

3. an intensive form of who, used in questions

   whoever could have thought that?

4. informal an unknown or unspecified person

   give those to John, or Cathy, or whoever

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Etymology

Origin of whoever

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at who, ever

Example Sentences

A friendly game against, er, whoever, or a momentous day for the Scottish national team and the chosen ones bound for the States - same difference.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

This is a deeply unsettled season in California, with precious little hope the next governor — whoever he or she turns out to be — will make things better anytime soon.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

"People who got here last night have gone to the front, people who cut this morning, whoever cheats and pushes the hardest hits to front."

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

In that vein, every version of “Amadeus” casts a younger heartthrob as Mozart against whoever plays the crusty Salieri.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Turkey Vulture had said that whoever climbed the highest would win the challenge for their team.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Related Words

• someone