what-if

American  

[hwuht-if, hwot‑, wuht‑, wot‑] / ˈʰwʌtˈɪf, ˈʰwɒt‑, ˈwʌt‑, ˈwɒt‑ /

adjective

1. hypothetical.

   a what-if scenario.

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noun

1. a hypothetical case or situation; conjecture.

   a series of what-ifs.

what-if British  

noun

1. informal a hypothetical question; speculation

   one of the great what-ifs of modern history

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what if Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of what-if

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Its cast is exactly the sprightly ensemble needed to land its what-if laughs.

From Los Angeles Times

And the pushed-down-out-of.sight, what-if, hope-waiting portion of Christopher’s heart rose up in his chest, and he felt it beating double time under his skin.

From Literature

“That’s third-state thinking. You’ll never get anywhere if you what-if everything. You’ve got to live in the now. The first state.”

From Literature

Mattingly said he doesn’t play the what-if game when thinking about that team.

From Los Angeles Times

One can even detect, in this brilliant, captivating Reichardt gem about fortune and fate, a what-if attached to her disaffected male protagonist: Would today’s version of James, just as adrift and arrogant, steal art to assuage his emptiness?

From Los Angeles Times