whether

American  

[hweth-er, weth-] / ˈʰwɛð ər, ˈwɛð- /

conjunction

1. (used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlativeor ).

   It matters little whether we go or stay. Whether we go or whether we stay, the result is the same.

2. (used to introduce a single alternative, the other being implied or understood, or some clause or element not involving alternatives).

   See whether or not she has come. I doubt whether we can do any better.

3. Archaic. (used to introduce a question presenting alternatives, usually with the correlativeor. )

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pronoun

Archaic.

1. which or whichever (of two)?

idioms

1. whether or no, under whatever circumstances; regardless.

   He threatens to go whether or no.

whether British  

/ ˈwɛðə /

conjunction

1. (subordinating) used to introduce an indirect question or a clause after a verb expressing or implying doubt or choice in order to indicate two or more alternatives, the second or last of which is introduced by or or or whether

   he doesn't know whether she's in Britain or whether she's gone to France

2. used to introduce any indirect question

   he was not certain whether his friend was there or not

3. (coordinating) another word for either

   any man, whether liberal or conservative, would agree with me

4. archaic (coordinating) used to introduce a direct question consisting of two alternatives, the second of which is introduced by or or or whether

   whether does he live at home or abroad

5. 1. used as a conjunction as a variant of whether

   2. under any circumstances

      he will be here tomorrow, whether or no

6. if on the one hand…or even if on the other hand

   you'll eat that, whether you like it or not

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determiner

1. obsolete which (of two): used in direct or indirect questions

whether More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing whether

• not know whether

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Usage

See if.

Etymology

Origin of whether

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwether, hwæther, equivalent to hwe- (base of hwā who ) + -ther comparative suffix; cognate with Old Norse hvatharr, Gothic hwathar

Example Sentences

They found that bacteria with the greatest glyphosate resistance were often closely related, regardless of whether they originated from hospitals, farms, or the Paraná delta.

From Science Daily • Jun. 23, 2026

Ipswich were braced for McKenna's departure, whether it was to another club or not, and had prepared accordingly.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to make the transition of power "as easy as possible", as two Labour lawmakers considered whether to challenge frontrunner Andy Burnham amid concern about a coronation.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

In December 1996, with the boom barely underway, Greenspan wondered aloud whether “irrational exuberance” had gripped asset prices.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

He’s sizing me up, calculating whether I’m really a threat.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes