wherever

UK: weərˈevə | US: werˈevər

Definition

  1. adv. in any place or situation (emphasizing lack of restriction)

  2. conj. in every case or situation

Structure
where <location>ever <at any time>
Etymology

wherever = where<location> + ever<at any time>

  • where: From Old English hwǣr (location), related to hwā (who) and hwæt (what).
  • ever: From Old English ǣfre (always/at any time), of uncertain origin but reinforced by Proto-Germanic aiwaz (age/eternity).

Etymology Origin:
A compound of where (location) + ever (time), blending spatial and temporal universality. The word evolved in Middle English to express boundless scope ("no matter where/when"), reflecting a fusion of Old English interrogative (hw-) and indefinite (ǣfre) elements.

Examples

  1. You can sit wherever you like.

  2. Wherever she goes, she carries a notebook.

  3. I’ll find you, wherever you hide.

  4. Wherever possible, recycle your waste.

  5. He travels wherever the wind takes him.