what-if

[ hwuht-if, hwot‐, wuht‐, wot‐ ]

/ ˈʰwʌtˈɪf, ˈʰwɒt‐, ˈwʌt‐, ˈwɒt‐ /

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adjective

hypothetical: a what-if scenario.

noun

a hypothetical case or situation; conjecture: a series of what-ifs.

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Origin of what-if

First recorded in 1980–85

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use what-if in a sentence

So it's really a take-what-you-can-get kind of situation with him.
‘Scandal’ Review: Olivia Pope Has Lost Her Damn Mind|Kevin Fallon|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Played in reverse that becomes ‘Here’s me/Here I am/What we have lost/I am the messenger of love.
The Stacks: The Judas Priest Teen Suicide Trial|Ivan Solotaroff|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If this seems like a small, so-what kind of thing to you, I submit two thoughts.
South Carolina Republicans Snub Desegregation Judge|Michael Tomasky|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It requires that likely answers be anticipated, that elaborate “if/then” scenarios be war-gamed.
David Frost and the Art of the Interview|David Frum|September 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST

If they abused that power, it would be noticed-if not by the press, then by their colleagues, and if noticed, then punished.
Memo: The Aaron Sorkin Model of Political Discourse Doesn't Actually Work|Megan McArdle|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Coals!what would he do with coals?Toast his cheese with em, and then come back for more.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Ay, murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former drowsy state, what about her?what aboutI know!
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Consequently, while the direction of the what-not-how-now line is definitely fixed, their actual positions remain unestablished.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 152, May 16, 1917.|Various
"Nothing what-ever," she answered, with an urbanity that defied the suggestion of malice.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete|Gilbert Parker
But, brother sinner, pray explain How 'tis that you are not in pain?What power hath work'd a wonder for your toes?
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various

British Dictionary definitions for what-if

what-if

noun

informal a hypothetical question; speculationone of the great what-ifs of modern history

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with what-if

what if

Suppose that, as in What if the speaker doesn't get here in time? This expression is in effect a shortening of “what would happen if.” It was first recorded about 1420.

what-if

Origin of what-if

Words related to what-if

How to use what-if in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for what-if

Other Idioms and Phrases with what-if