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Idioms And Phrases

whatever

[ wuht-ev-er, wot-, wuht-, hwuht-, hwot-, hwuht- ]

/ wʌtˈɛv ər, wɒt-, wət-, ʰwʌt-, ʰwɒt-, ʰwət- /

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See synonyms for whatever on Thesaurus.com

pronoun

anything that (usually used in relative clauses): Whatever you say is all right with me.

(used relatively to indicate a quantity of a specified or implied antecedent): Take whatever you like of these.

no matter what: Do it, whatever happens.

any or any one of a number of things whether specifically known or not: papers, magazines, or whatever.

what (used interrogatively): Whatever do you mean?

adjective

in any amount; to any extent: whatever merit the work has.

no matter what: whatever rebuffs he might receive.

being what or who it may be: Whatever the reason, he refuses to go.

of any kind (used as an intensifier following the noun or pronoun it modifies): any person whatever.

interjection

(used to indicate indifference to a state of affairs, situation, previous statement, etc.)

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of whatever

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at what, ever

Words nearby whatever

what'd, what-do-you-call-it, what do you know, what do you take me for?, whate'er, whatever, whatevs, what for, what gives, what goes around comes around, what have you

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use whatever in a sentence

But he, like many people using dating apps whatever their sexual identity, remains stoutly positive.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When twelve people are killed by violence, whoever they are, for whatever reason, that is a tragedy and a waste.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There was nobody that I read who was like, “This is just… whatever.”
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Whatever the FBI says, the truthers will create alternative hypotheses that try to challenge the ‘official story.’
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Morris searched for whatever strength was left in his malnourished body.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As such it is now presented to the public for whatever meed of praise or censure it is found to deserve.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
I doubt that thirty persons per day are carried into or brought out of it by all public conveyances whatever.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Whatever the species, it is well to imitate the natural conditions as much as possible in the way of soil.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
The sense of bearing on to the voice, or endeavoring to push the tone by any pressure whatever, should be absolutely avoided.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
He had seen the act committed, he felt sure but had made no effort whatever to stop the thief.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for whatever

whatever

/ (wɒtˈɛvə, wət-) /

pronoun

everything or anything thatdo whatever he asks you to

no matter whatwhatever he does, he is forgiven

informal an unknown or unspecified thing or thingstake a hammer, chisel, or whatever

an intensive form of what, used in questionswhatever can he have said to upset her so much?

determiner

an intensive form of whatuse whatever tools you can get hold of

adjective

(postpositive) absolutely; whatsoeverI saw no point whatever in continuing

interjection

informal an expression used to show indifference or dismissal

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 whatever

whatever

see or whatever.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.