English Reference

Word

someday

Phoneticssome·day, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈsəmˌdeɪ/

UK/sˈʌmdeɪ/

Adverb of time

Definition

adv. at an unknown time in the future. You use this when you talk about a plan or a dream that does not have a set date yet.

adv. at some indefinite time in the future. Often used to express aspirations or hypothetical future events without a specific timeline.

Examples

“I hope to visit Japan someday.”

“She dreams of owning a small house by the sea someday when she retires from her job.”

“While the current technology is limited, scientists believe that someday we will be able to generate clean energy from these deep-sea thermal vents.”

Examples

simple

“I hope to visit Japan someday.”

contextual

“She dreams of owning a small house by the sea someday when she retires from her job.”

complex

“While the current technology is limited, scientists believe that someday we will be able to generate clean energy from these deep-sea thermal vents.”

Usage

Typically placed at the beginning or end of a clause to set the temporal context.

Pitfall

I will see you some day.

I will see you someday.

As an adverb meaning 'at an indefinite time', it is written as one word; 'some day' as two words usually refers to a specific but unnamed single day.

Etymology

Univerbation of some + day.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

DETERMINER

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Common
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference