# wherever

/hwɛˈɹɛvɝ/ (US) · /weəɹˈɛvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wherever
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. in any place

conjunction · CEFR B1

in or to any place that something happens or exists.

For teachers: in, at, or to any place that; used to introduce a subordinate clause describing a location.

- You can sit wherever you like in the cinema since it is nearly empty.
- The dog followed him wherever he went, refusing to leave his side even for a moment during the long hike.

### 2. no matter where

conjunction · CEFR B1

it does not matter which place something is in.

For teachers: regardless of the place in, at, or to which something occurs.

- Wherever you go on holiday, make sure to take your passport.
- Wherever the investigation leads, the committee is determined to uncover the truth behind the financial discrepancy.

### 3. emphatic where

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

a stronger way to say 'where' when you are surprised or confused.

For teachers: an emphatic form of the interrogative 'where', typically used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion.

- Wherever did you find that beautiful old map?
- Wherever could they have gone at this time of night without leaving a note or locking the front door?

### 4. any place at all

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

any place that a person chooses.

For teachers: in or to any place whatever; used as a standalone adverbial to indicate total freedom of location.

- We can go to the park, the beach, or wherever.
- The budget allows us to host the conference in London, Paris, or wherever the board deems most convenient for the international delegates.

## Examples

- You can sit wherever you like.
- The dog follows her wherever she goes in the house.
- The nomadic tribe moved their camp wherever the seasonal rains provided enough water for their livestock to survive the summer heat.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.