whatever

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

pronoun

1. anything that (usually used in relative clauses).

   Whatever you say is all right with me.

2. (used relatively to indicate a quantity of a specified or implied antecedent).

   Take whatever you like of these.

3. no matter what.

   Do it, whatever happens.

4. any or any one of a number of things whether specifically known or not.

   papers, magazines, or whatever.

5. what (used interrogatively).

   Whatever do you mean?

adjective

1. in any amount; to any extent.

   whatever merit the work has.

2. no matter what.

   whatever rebuffs he might receive.

3. being what or who it may be.

   Whatever the reason, he refuses to go.

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

   any person whatever.

interjection

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

whatever

/ wət-, wɒtˈɛvə /

pronoun

1. everything or anything that

   do whatever he asks you to

2. no matter what

   whatever he does, he is forgiven

3. informal,  an unknown or unspecified thing or things

   take a hammer, chisel, or whatever

4. an intensive form of what, used in questions

   whatever can he have said to upset her so much?

determiner

1. an intensive form of what

   use whatever tools you can get hold of

adjective

1. (postpositive) absolutely; whatsoever

   I saw no point whatever in continuing

interjection

1. informal,  an expression used to show indifference or dismissal

Word History and Origins

Origin of whatever¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see or whatever.

Example Sentences

I’m thankful for nights on the couch with my roommates watching “Dancing With the Stars,” when we all pretend to be expert judges and forget about whatever exam or project is waiting for us.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We cannot give up. We, as parents, will stay committed and united. We’re going to do whatever it takes to continue the program,” said Juarez.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“In burgers, whatever McDonald’s does, the rest have to follow suit or they give up share.”

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The bidding war for his services means that whatever Kiffin chooses, he looks set to finish this week as the highest-paid coach in college football history.

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And it’s so deeply painful because whatever you write inevitably disappoints you and makes you feel depressed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• whatsoever