whatsoever

IPA/ˌwɒtsəʊˈevə(r)/
KK[wˌʌtsoˈɛvɚ]IPA/ˌwʌtsəʊˈevər/

whatsoever — adverb

1. a word placed directly after a noun phrase that contains a negative term such as

1.adverbC1
Definition

a word placed directly after a noun phrase that contains a negative term such as 'no', 'none', 'nothing', or 'any' in a negative clause, making the denial or absence sound more complete and forceful — equivalent in meaning to 'at all' or 'of any kind'

Example

There is no evidence whatsoever to support the reporter's claim.

no + noun + whatsoever

The Watanabe family has no doubt whatsoever about their holiday destination this year.

Common collocations
  • no ... whatsoever
  • nothing whatsoever
  • none whatsoever
  • any ... whatsoever (in negatives)
Synonyms
  • whatever

    the same postpositive intensifier but slightly less forceful; interchangeable in most contexts

  • at all

    a common adverb phrase with the same meaning, but placed at the end of the clause rather than after the noun

Grammar Patterns

no + noun + whatsoever

nothing + whatsoever

none + whatsoever

any + noun + whatsoever (in negative clauses)

Usage Note

In modern English, 'whatsoever' can ONLY appear after a negative word or phrase. It cannot be used in positive statements. It is a more emphatic version of 'whatever' in the same postpositive position: 'no reason whatever' is less forceful than 'no reason whatsoever'. The word follows immediately after the noun it modifies — do not place it at the end of the clause.

Common Mistakes

I have doubt whatsoever about his honesty.
I have no doubt whatsoever about his honesty.
'whatsoever' must be paired with a negative word like 'no' or 'nothing'.
She has any reason whatsoever to complain.
She has no reason whatsoever to complain.
'whatsoever' is not used in positive sentences; use a negative structure.

whatsoever — pronoun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Both 'whatsoever' and 'whatever' can be placed after a negative noun phrase to add emphasis ('no reason whatsoever' / 'no reason whatever'), but 'whatsoever' is distinctly stronger and more complete in its denial. 'Whatever' in this position sounds slightly more formal or literary, while 'whatsoever' is common in both spoken and written English when a speaker wants to leave no doubt. 'At all' conveys a similar meaning but has a different position in the sentence: it comes at the end ('I have no interest at all') rather than directly after the noun ('I have no interest whatsoever'). Use 'at all' in neutral or informal contexts; choose 'whatsoever' when you want to stress that absolutely nothing is excluded. Example: 'He had no reason at all to be angry' sounds milder than 'He had no reason whatsoever to be angry.'

whatever ↗at all ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • no + noun + whatsoever
  • nothing whatsoever
  • none whatsoever

Phrases

  • no ... whatsoever
  • any ... whatsoever (in negative clauses)

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from the Middle English phrase 'what so ever', which itself comes from Old English 'swā hwæt swā' (so what so) + 'ǣfre' (ever). The original meaning was 'whatever it may be'. Over time, the three words fused into a single compound. The modern use as an emphatic adverb after negatives developed from its appearance in phrases like 'no thing whatsoever' (no thing, whatever it may be), where the generalising sense gradually shifted into a pure intensifier.