Whomever Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘
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whomever

[huหหˆmษ›vษ™r ]

Definition

Context #1 | Pronoun

general usage

Whomever is a pronoun used to refer to any person or individual, without specifying who. It is used principally in formal or literary contexts. The term serves to indicate an unspecified person who may receive an action or perform a role. In modern usage, it is often seen in subordinate clauses, especially in construct such as 'whomever you choose.'

Synonyms

anyone, who, whoever.

Examples of usage

  • You may invite whomever you like to the party.
  • I will support whomever you decide to endorse.
  • Whomever the boss chooses will get the promotion.

Translations

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Origin of 'whomever'

The word 'whomever' originates from the Old English 'hwฤ,' meaning 'who' and 'hwฤ swฤ,' which denotes 'whoever.' In Middle English, it evolved over time to become 'whon' and 'whome.' The suffix โ€˜-everโ€™ denotes a form of emphasis, indicating any or all persons referred to. This construction emerged in the late 19th century as standard English began to formalize pronoun usage. 'Whomever' is often confused with 'whoever,' especially in casual speech, but retains its formal, accusative case in rigorous grammatical contexts. The use of 'whomever' encapsulates a refined understanding of grammatical roles within sentences, reflecting sophisticated linguistic structures.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,353, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.