ENGLISH
REFERENCE

whichever

det.
B1 Intermediate US //hwɪˈtʃɛvɝ// UK //wɪtʃˈɛvɐ// which·ever Informal

det. any one of a group of things, when it does not matter which one you choose. It means 'it doesn't matter which'.

det. any one or more that may be chosen from a limited set. Often used to indicate that the specific choice is unimportant or left to the discretion of the subject.


SIMPLE

You can choose whichever book you like.

CONTEXTUAL

Please take whichever seat is available when you enter the theater.

COMPLEX

The committee agreed to support whichever candidate demonstrated the most comprehensive understanding of the local environmental challenges during the final interview process.

Origin

From Middle English qwichever, whiche ever, whiche evere, which ever, which evere; equivalent to which + ever.

Usage

Can function as a determiner before a noun or as a pronoun on its own.

Pitfall

Whichever of the two you want?Whichever one do you want?Whichever is used to make a choice from a set, but it usually introduces a dependent clause rather than starting a direct question.

© 2026 English Reference