whether

American  

[hweth-er, weth-] / ˈʰwɛð ər, ˈwɛð- /

conjunction

1. (used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlativeor ).

   It matters little whether we go or stay. Whether we go or whether we stay, the result is the same.

2. (used to introduce a single alternative, the other being implied or understood, or some clause or element not involving alternatives).

   See whether or not she has come. I doubt whether we can do any better.

3. Archaic. (used to introduce a question presenting alternatives, usually with the correlativeor. )

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pronoun

Archaic.

1. which or whichever (of two)?

idioms

1. whether or no, under whatever circumstances; regardless.

   He threatens to go whether or no.

whether British  

/ ˈwɛðə /

conjunction

1. (subordinating) used to introduce an indirect question or a clause after a verb expressing or implying doubt or choice in order to indicate two or more alternatives, the second or last of which is introduced by or or or whether

   he doesn't know whether she's in Britain or whether she's gone to France

2. used to introduce any indirect question

   he was not certain whether his friend was there or not

3. (coordinating) another word for either

   any man, whether liberal or conservative, would agree with me

4. archaic (coordinating) used to introduce a direct question consisting of two alternatives, the second of which is introduced by or or or whether

   whether does he live at home or abroad

5. 1. used as a conjunction as a variant of whether

   2. under any circumstances

      he will be here tomorrow, whether or no

6. if on the one hand…or even if on the other hand

   you'll eat that, whether you like it or not

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determiner

1. obsolete which (of two): used in direct or indirect questions

whether More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing whether

• not know whether

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Usage

See if.

Etymology

Origin of whether

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwether, hwæther, equivalent to hwe- (base of hwā who ) + -ther comparative suffix; cognate with Old Norse hvatharr, Gothic hwathar

Example Sentences

Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Virginia to probe whether the incessant violations of antipollution laws had risen to the level of criminal behavior, people familiar with the matter said.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

If your broker is offering you stock in this IPO and you are wondering whether to participate, here are the things you should know about that Wall Street isn’t that anxious to tell you.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

The question is whether that practice is an apt precedent for state rules that govern mail voting in 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

After a long run led by high-growth, high-valuation stocks—especially names linked to technology and artificial intelligence—investors question whether too much optimism is crowded into too few winners.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

I had no way of knowing whether they were actually ill-fitting or whether this was merely how boots fit; I had never worn anything so heavy and drab on my feet before.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse