whom etymology

Etymology:

Old English: hwām Proto-Germanic: *hwaz Proto-Indo-European: *kwos ("who")

Meaning:

"Whom" is an interrogative and relative pronoun used to refer to a specific person or people being asked about or referenced.

Origin:

The word "whom" originated from the Old English word "hwām," which was used as an objective form of the nominative pronoun "hwā" ("who"). In Middle English, the two forms merged into "whom," which became the standard objective form.

Usage:

"Whom" is typically used in formal written English when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition. For example:

  • To whom did you speak?
  • The person whom I met yesterday was very kind.
  • I'm not sure whom to ask for help.

In informal speech and writing, "who" is often used instead of "whom," even in objective constructions.

whom relate terms

  • whomever

    Etymology The word whomever is a combination of the two words Who pronoun nomin

  • whom

    Etymology Old English hwām Proto Germanic hwaz Proto Indo European kwos who M

  • ever

    Etymology ever adv Old English æfre æfer always ever Proto West Germanic aiw

  • cheese

    Etymology The word cheese originates from the Latin word caseus which means cheese

  • either

    Etymology Origin Latin etumos true from Greek etymos true genuine Meaning Th

  • hidalgo

    Etymology Spanish hidalgo lt Medieval Latin infídālgo from in not fidālgu

  • kickshaw

    Etymology Middle English kickeshawes plural meaning dainty food Origin Possibly

  • neither

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • neuter

    Etymology The word neuter derives from the Latin word neuter which itself originate

  • quality

    Etymology The word quality derives from the Latin word qualitas which means nature

  • quandary

    Etymology The word quandary comes from the Old French word quandenier which means

  • quantity

    Etymology The word quantity comes from the Latin word quantus which means how much

  • quasar

    Etymology The word quasar is a portmanteau of quasi stellar and radio source Mea

  • quasi

    Etymology The word quasi is derived from the Latin word quasi which means as if o

  • query

    Etymology The word query originated in the late 14th century from the Old French word

  • quibble

    Etymology The word quibble derives from Middle English quibulen early 13th century

  • quiddity

    Etymology Ultimate origin Latin quidditas thatness essence being or nature of thi

  • quidnunc

    Etymology Latin quid nunc meaning what now Meaning A quidnunc is a person who

  • quip

    Etymology The word quip is of uncertain origin The Oxford English Dictionary OED sug

  • quodlibet

    Etymology and Origin Quodlibet is a Latin word derived from the phrase quod libet meanin

  • quondam

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word quondam meaning formerly once or at one

  • quorum

    Etymology Latin quōrum Ancient Greek khōrós army that divides the enemy s ranks

  • quote

    Etymology The word quote originates from the Latin verb cotare which means to mark

  • quotidian

    Etymology The word quotidian is derived from the Latin word quotidiānus which mean

  • quotient

    Etymology The word quotient comes from the Latin word quotiens which means how many

  • ubiquity

    Etymology Latin ubiquitas presence everywhere Late Latin ubiquitous present eve

  • what

    Etymology Greek etymos true and logos word Meaning The study of the origi

  • when

    Etymology Meaning The study of the origin of words and the way their meanings have chan

  • whence

    Etymology The word whence is derived from the Old English word hwanon which means f

  • where

    Etymology Etymology refers to the study of the origin history and development of words

  • whether

    Etymology Meaning The study of the origin and history of words Origin From the Greek

  • which

    Etymology Greek eidos form idea logos study discourse Meaning The stu

  • whither

    Etymology Whither is an archaic interrogative adverb that means to what place or condi

  • whoever

    Etymology Word Whoever Origin Old English hwā swa hwa meaning who anyone ever

  • whom

    Etymology Old English hwām Proto Germanic hwaz Proto Indo European kwos who M

  • whose

    Etymology The term etymology originates from the Greek word etymon meaning true se

  • scourge

    Etymology and Origin The word scourge comes from the Old French word escorgier mean

  • donor

    Etymology The word donor originates from the Latin word donarium which means gift

  • quorum

    Etymology Latin quōrum Ancient Greek khōrós army that divides the enemy s ranks

  • chasten

    Etymology Chasten comes from the Old French word chastier which in turn derives fro

  • deity

    Etymology Deity derives from the Latin word deitas which means godhood divinenes

  • subpoena

    Etymology From Latin sub poena under penalty from sub under poena penalty

  • havoc

    Etymology Medieval English havoc from Old French havot hatoc Ultimately derived fro

  • carbohydrate

  • syncope

    Etymology From Ancient Greek sunkopē συγκοπή Derived from sun together