det
Common
whatsoever
wot-soh-EH-vuh
Whatsoever (det) means At all; used after "no," "any," or "none" to add strong emphasis. Example: “I have no idea whatsoever where I left my keys.”
det
1
At all; used after "no," "any," or "none" to add strong emphasis.
"I have no idea whatsoever where I left my keys."
"He had no interest whatsoever in the plan."
"There was no evidence whatsoever to support the claim."
How to use whatsoever
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stronger version of "at all," almost always used to reinforce a negative statement.
Common mistake
Only really used after a negative ("no reason whatsoever") — it sounds odd in a positive statement.
Common pairings
no reason whatsoever
nothing whatsoever
none whatsoever
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Etymology
From Middle English, built from "what" plus "so" plus "ever" to form an intensified version of "whatever."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for whatsoever
See all rhymes for whatsoever →Frequently asked questions
What does “whatsoever” mean?
The word “whatsoever” means at all; used after "no," "any," or "none" to add strong emphasis. In plain terms, a stronger version of "at all," almost always used to reinforce a negative statement.
How do you pronounce “whatsoever”?
“Whatsoever” is pronounced wot-soh-EH-vuh (/ˌ(h)wʌtsoʊˈɛvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “whatsoever” in a sentence?
Here is “whatsoever” used in a sentence: “He had no interest whatsoever in the plan.”
What part of speech is “whatsoever”?
“Whatsoever” is a det.
Where does the word “whatsoever” come from?
The word “whatsoever” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, built from "what" plus "so" plus "ever" to form an intensified version of "whatever.".
Is “whatsoever” a common word?
“Whatsoever” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between whatsoever and whatever?
In modern English, whatsoever is mainly an emphatic word placed after a noun in negative statements: 'no doubt whatsoever.' Whatever works as a determiner or pronoun meaning 'anything that,' as in 'do whatever you like.' In older English, whatsoever could be used the same way as whatever, and that use survives in traditional and religious texts.
Where does whatsoever go in a sentence?
Whatsoever follows the word or phrase it emphasizes, and it normally appears after expressions built on no, none, any, or nothing: 'none whatsoever,' 'no reason whatsoever,' 'is there any doubt whatsoever?' Placing it before the noun, as in 'whatsoever reason,' sounds archaic in modern English.
Can whatsoever be used in a positive sentence?
Not usually. In current English, whatsoever adds strong emphasis to negative or questioning contexts containing no, none, any, or nothing, as in 'no interest whatsoever.' A plain positive sentence like 'I have interest whatsoever' is ungrammatical because there is no negative for the word to strengthen.
Is whatsoever formal or informal?
Whatsoever is neutral and appears in both conversation and formal writing. It simply adds strong emphasis after negative expressions, so 'no evidence whatsoever' is equally at home in a legal document and in everyday speech.
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