English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
pron

whosoever

hoo-soh-EH-vuh

Whosoever (pron) means a formal, emphatic way of saying "whoever". Example: “Whosoever finds this letter, please return it to the address below.”

pron
1
A formal, emphatic way of saying "whoever".
"Whosoever finds this letter, please return it to the address below."
"Whosoever shall enter here must first pay the toll."

How to use whosoever

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, formal version of "whoever", still heard in legal, religious, or ceremonial language.

When to use it

Archaic and formal; "whoever" is the everyday modern equivalent.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “whosoever” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ finds this letter, please return it to the address below.

Etymology

From Middle English whosoever, literally who + so + ever, built the same way as whatsoever and howsoever.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for whosoever

See all rhymes for whosoever →

Frequently asked questions

What does “whosoever” mean?

The word “whosoever” means a formal, emphatic way of saying "whoever". In plain terms, an old-fashioned, formal version of "whoever", still heard in legal, religious, or ceremonial language.

How do you pronounce “whosoever”?

“Whosoever” is pronounced hoo-soh-EH-vuh (/huːsoʊˈɛvɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “whosoever” in a sentence?

Here is “whosoever” used in a sentence: “Whosoever finds this letter, please return it to the address below.”

What part of speech is “whosoever”?

“Whosoever” is a pronoun.

Where does the word “whosoever” come from?

The word “whosoever” comes from Middle English. From Middle English whosoever, literally who + so + ever, built the same way as whatsoever and howsoever.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial