Whoever

Definition

"Whoever" is a pronoun used to refer to any person or persons in question, without specifying a particular individual. It can also emphasize the idea that the identity of the person mentioned is unknown or unimportant.

Parts of Speech

• Pronoun
• Conjunction

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /huˈɛvər/
• Respelling: hoo-EV-er

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /huːˈɛvə/
• Respelling: hoo-EV-uh

In both American and British English, "whoever" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable. The word begins with a "hoo" sound, followed by a stressed "ev" sound. The primary difference lies in the rhoticity; the American pronunciation includes a more pronounced 'r' sound at the end, while in British English, especially in non-rhotic accents, the 'r' is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel.

Etymology

"Whoever" is derived from the Middle English "who so ever", combining "who", a pronoun indicating a person, "so" which amplifies the meaning, and "ever" adding further emphasis. Over time, these words combined to form "whoever", signifying any person or no specific individual.

Derivatives

• Whomever
• Whosoever
• Whosever
• Whomsoever
• Whereto

Synonyms

• Whosoever
• Any person
• Anyone

Antonyms

• None
• None
• None

Usage

"Whoever" is used to introduce a clause in which an open-ended or unspecified group of individuals is described. It can also imply that the exact identity of the individual or individuals is not crucial to the context.

Related Terms

• Whoever vs. whomever
• Indefinite pronoun
• Relative pronoun
• Wh- words
• Whom

Detailed Definition

Pronoun

• Any person who; no matter who.‍
• Example: Whoever comes first will get a prize.

• The person who; the one that.‍
• Example: Whoever did this is in big trouble.

Conjunction

• No matter who; any person that.‍
• Example: Give it to whoever asks for it.