Whom

Definition

Whom is a pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition, referring to a person or persons.

Parts of Speech

• Pronoun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /huːm/
• Respelling: HOOM

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /huːm/
• Respelling: HOOM

Etymology

The word "whom" originates from Old English "hwām" or "hwǣm," the dative form of "hwā," meaning "who." It is derived from Proto-Germanic "*hwam" and Proto-Indo-European "*kwo-," used for interrogative and relative pronouns. It has been retained in modern English as the formal object form of "who."

Derivatives

• Whomever (pronoun)
• Whomsoever (pronoun)
• Whomness (noun, rare)
• Unwhom (verb, archaic)
• Whomlike (adjective, rare)

Synonyms

• None (context-specific)

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The pronoun "whom" is used in formal contexts or traditional grammar to denote the object of a verb or preposition. For example: "To whom did you send the letter?" It is often replaced by "who" in informal speech, e.g., "Who did you send the letter to?"

Related Terms

• Who: Used as the subject of a sentence.
• Whomever: A formal alternative to "whoever" in objective cases.
• Which: Refers to choice or selection among options.

Detailed Definitions

Pronoun

• Used as the object of a verb: Refers to a person or people receiving an action.
  • Example: "Whom did you call last night?"
• Used as the object of a preposition: Refers to a person or people associated with the preposition.
  • Example: "To whom should I address the letter?"
• Used in relative clauses: Refers to a previously mentioned person or people in formal contexts.
  • Example: "The person whom I met yesterday was very kind."