Whoever

Whoever

Relative pronoun · /huːˈɛvə/ · any person who; the person who — regardless of identity

Definition

Whoever is a relative and free-relative pronoun meaning any person who, or the person who, depending on context. It refers to an unspecified person, making no commitment about who that person is — only about what they do or what applies to them. Whoever wins gets the trophy. Call whoever you trust.

Etymology

Built from Old English hwā (who) and the indefiniteness particle swā (so/ever). The compound hwā swā meant any who, however that may be. This same pattern created whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, and however — all carrying the same sense: identity or circumstance does not matter, only the condition.