whoever

[hoo-ev-er]

pronoun

possessive

whosever ,

objective

whomever .

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?

whoever

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of whoever¹

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

Example Sentences

Whoever wins the mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, qualifies for six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Read more on Barron's

The library invites you to come as you are, whoever you are.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s sad, because whoever killed Alex was trying to silence the community.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Whoever becomes manager will have to start winning very quickly.

Read more on BBC

The unrequited love routine is a bit embarrassing and, for whoever they eventually manage to get in the head coach's chair, possibly a touch unsettling.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• someone