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Glite Dictionary
whyever

whyever

8.2
Shows surprise when asking why something happened
  • adverb
  • /ˈhwaɪˌɛvər/
  • UK
translation icon : ¿por qué en el mundo?
  • "Whyever would you do something like that?" I asked.

Examples

  • "Whyever not?" he demanded.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Whyever should you call him Joe?" "No reason, really."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Whyever would you do something like that?" I asked.

  • "Whyever should you call him Joe?" "No reason, really."

  • "Whyever did you pick me for this?"

Synonyms

what's with
vswhyever
  • Informal
262 7.9

Ask why something is happening or seems strange

asks for a reason while emphasizing surprise or stronger confusion
why in the world
vswhyever
1 8.1

Words people say to show strong surprise or shock

asks for a reason while showing strong surprise or confusion

How Surprised

whyever
  • UK
8.2
why
9 1.0

Surface Forms

whyever positive

Morphology

whyever = why + ever (transparent) = why + ever

The word is a straightforward combination of 'why' + 'ever' used emphatically; a learner knowing the parts can infer the emphatic/questioning meaning.

Etymology

Whyever is simply the common words why ('for what reason') and ever ('for any reason') joined together, so it carries the idea 'for whatever reason'. That's why whyever is used to show surprise or confusion when asking why something happened.