whatever

American  

[wuht-ev-er, wot-, hwuht-, hwuht-, hwot-, wuht-] / wʌtˈɛv ər, wɒt-, ʰwət-, ʰwʌt-, ʰwɒt-, wət- /

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?

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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 British  

/ 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?

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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

whatever Idioms  

1. see or whatever.

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Etymology

Origin of whatever

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

Example Sentences

They kept saying the money was a gift and that they would support whatever decision we made, but at the same time, they repeatedly called and texted to discourage us.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

If the approach involves raising corporate taxes, whatever the merits, it would subtract from earnings more directly.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Peet connected to the unease of not knowing how to recognize when one has become a has-been and staying open to whatever life still has to offer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

For Darren, the issue is not only about awareness but about making whatever time Sophia has left as supported and comfortable as possible.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

I go through the motions of flipping pages and scanning words, but I already know which entry’s heart beats the strongest or whatever, thanks to Dad.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• whatsoever