whatever

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

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

/ wɒtˈɛvə; wət- /

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

But he, like many people using dating apps whatever their sexual identity, remains stoutly positive.

From The Daily Beast

When twelve people are killed by violence, whoever they are, for whatever reason, that is a tragedy and a waste.

From The Daily Beast

There was nobody that I read who was like, “This is just… whatever.”

From The Daily Beast

Whatever the FBI says, the truthers will create alternative hypotheses that try to challenge the ‘official story.’

From The Daily Beast

Morris searched for whatever strength was left in his malnourished body.

From The Daily Beast

As such it is now presented to the public for whatever meed of praise or censure it is found to deserve.

From Project Gutenberg

I doubt that thirty persons per day are carried into or brought out of it by all public conveyances whatever.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever the species, it is well to imitate the natural conditions as much as possible in the way of soil.

From Project Gutenberg

The sense of bearing on to the voice, or endeavoring to push the tone by any pressure whatever, should be absolutely avoided.

From Project Gutenberg

He had seen the act committed, he felt sure but had made no effort whatever to stop the thief.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• whatsoever