whatever
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1what·ev·er

pronoun \hwät-ˈe-vər, wät-, (h)wət-\

Definition of WHATEVER

1
a : anything or everything that <take whatever you want>
b : no matter what <whatever he says, they won't believe him>
c : whatnot <enjoys skiing, hiking, or whatever>
2
: what 1a(1) —used to express astonishment or perplexity <whatever do you mean by that>

Examples of WHATEVER

  1. What's that smell? I don't know, but whatever it is, it's awful!
  2. Whatever you do, don't press that button!

First Known Use of WHATEVER

14th century

Related to WHATEVER

Synonyms
what all, whatnot

2whatever

adjective

Definition of WHATEVER

1
a : any … that : all … that <buy peace … on whatever terms could be obtained — C. S. Forester>
b : no matter what <money, in whatever hands, will confer power — Samuel Johnson>
2
: of any kind at all —used after the substantive it modifies with any or with an expressed or implied negative <in any order whatever — W. G. Moulton> <no food whatever>

Examples of WHATEVER

  1. She will buy the painting at whatever price.
  2. There's no evidence whatever to support your theory.

First Known Use of WHATEVER

14th century

3whatever

adverb

Definition of WHATEVER

: in any case : whatever the case may be —sometimes used interjectionally to suggest the unimportance of an issue or decision between alternatives <go see a movie, watch TV,— whatever>

Examples of WHATEVER

  1. <whatever the reviews say, I still think it was a great play>

First Known Use of WHATEVER

1870

Related to WHATEVER

Synonyms
anyhow, anyway, anyways [chiefly dialect], regardless

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