whosoever

American

[hoo-soh-ev-er] / ˌhu soʊˈɛv ər /

pronoun

whoever; whatever person.

Whosoever wants to apply should write to the bureau.

whosoever British

/ ˌhuːsəʊˈɛvə /

pronoun

an archaic or formal word for whoever

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of whosoever

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at whoso, 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.

Besides, the Bible also says that whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 3, 2023

Puritan colonists in Massachusetts did the same, fining "whosoever shall be found observing Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way."

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2022

The result: whosoever objects to the union of these two people, speak now or forever hold your peace.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 4, 2019

It refers to the phrase: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

From BBC • Sep. 21, 2017

I went to her, thinking, Let them break down the door, whosoever will, let them come.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023